Donald Lewis Ely passed peacefully while "just resting his eyes" on Tuesday, December 24, 2019. Born June 15, 1929, Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 70 years, Nancy (Gray); his children, Donald 'Bucky' Ely Jr., Lynn Harris (Dave), Beth Ely, Karen Bryk (Steve); grandchildren, Alison Kahn (Kevin), Ben Harris (Laura), Eric Ely (Holly), Katie Harris (Lauren Beriont), Jessica Bryk (Kyle Doolin), Sam Bryk, and Kristen Bryk; and great grandchildren, Haley Kahn, Bryce Kahn, Nathan Ely, Nolan Harris, Ashley Ely, Hudson Ely Harris, Taylor Harris, Matthew Ely, Hannah Ely, and Camryn Harris. Don is preceded in death by his sister, Ruth E. Rosendale, and his parents, Anna and George Ely.
Don grew up on a farm in Montrose, PA where he walked to school “up hill both ways.” He met the love of his life in Chester, PA and they married September 10, 1949. He graduated with a degree in engineering from Syracuse University in 1951. Don and Nancy made their home in Ambler, PA in 1962, where many a 'Tally-Ho Open' turned neighbors into lifelong friends. This ”Straight Arrow" retired after 39 years of loyal service to the Philadelphia Electric Company. In retirement, Don and Nancy traveled everywhere from Alaska to Zimbabwe, and spent winters at The Palms in Fort Myers Beach, FL., building many friendships in that community over 23 years.
His sense of direction was legendary and he had a gadget or a little snivvy to fix everything. If not, there was always WD-40 or duct tape. He could be relied on to show up for others, line his street with luminaries every Christmas Eve, and pull a wagon full of grandchildren to Creepy Pond. He could ski backwards while holding a video camera, turn an empty pool into a playground, and knew the lyrics to many comical country tunes. He could play cards with the best of them and teach anyone to ride a bike, drive a car, or change a tire. He never passed up an opportunity for ice cream and loved treating his family to donuts in Ocean City, NJ.
To Don, our dad, Coach, and Pop Pop - thank you for your generosity, cheering us on, and leaving this place better than you found it.
A celebration of Don's life will be held Friday, January 3 at 11:30 at Supplee Church 855 E. Welsh Rd. in Maple Glen. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (macular.org) or treat a friend to ice cream.
