Matthew Griswold Ely Jr.

Matthew Griswold Ely, Jr., son of Matthew Griswold Ely and Marion Collins Ely, passed away peacefully with his family by his bedside on April 24, 2014 at age 97 in Essex, CT. Born on October 10, 1916 in NYC, and raised in Pelham Manor, NY, Matt graduated from The Taft School where he was Class President all four years, Captain of the Soccer Team, President of the Glee Club and the A Capella Octet, a half-miler in the undefeated 1935 Track team, and Head Monitor of the Taft Student Body. At his 1936 Graduation, he was honored with the Class Medal for having “contributed the most to Taft School”. At Rollins College, he was President of the X-Club Fraternity, President of ODK, President of the A Cappella Choir, President of the Chapel Staff, Manager and Coxswain of the Crew Team, and Manager of the Fencing Team. Matt was elected to the debating fraternity of Pi Kappa Delta, and also earned the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallion for the Outstanding Senior contributing the most to the college. Upon graduation, he joined the New York Real Estate firm of Horace S. Ely & Co. founded by his great, great Uncle in 1853. Matt sold and managed many large commercial and residential properties including the venerable Dakota Building. He served as a Governor of the Real Estate Board of NYC and was on the Board of Management Division, as well as Director of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater NY, and Regional VP of the National Institute of Real Estate Managers. In his long career, he served on the Executive Committee of the New York Chamber of Commerce and as Trustee of the Real Estate Committee.

Matt was an advocate of the Boy Scouts of America. Serving as Chairman of the Pelham District of Boy Scouts, he also was a scoutmaster in Pelham for 9 years and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout along with 20 of his scouts. He served on the Pelham Zoning Board of Appeals and was President of the Pelhamwood Association, was Director and Treasurer of the Pelham Community Chest charity. He was a member of the Men’s Club of Pelham, and a Trustee and Elder in the Huguenot Memorial Church. Singing was a huge part of his life: a member of the University Glee Club of N.Y. and several a cappella groups. Upon retiring to Old Lyme, CT., he sang in the choir of The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme for 29 years. He played tennis until he was 88 and was a member of the Old Lyme Country Club and the Old Lyme Beach Club. A basement workshop was an important part of his life. He built and repaired many beautiful clocks, restored antiques, and enjoyed home repair. He captured his favorite scenes, landscapes and ships on canvas – always including a small stroke of red – his favorite color. Ever positive and encouraging, he led by example and received his greatest joy from “just helping people and making this world a better place to live”. Above all, he led an exemplary life underscored by integrity, humility, love and respect for others. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Shirley Bassett Ely, and is survived by his three sons, Dr. Matthew G. Ely III and wife Susan of West Hartford, Timothy B. Ely and wife Laura of Fairfield, and Dwight C. Ely, Sr. and wife Marie of Trumbull; his five dearly loved grandchildren, Collin P. Ely and wife Cynthia, Melissa E. Gainer and husband George, Elizabeth E. Hadly and husband David, Katherine E. Wizeman and husband John, and Dwight C. Ely, Jr. and three great-grandchildren - Lauren, John and Paige. Matthew will be deeply missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 3:00 pm at The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. There will be a private interment. Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, Old Lyme is handling the arrangements. Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for tributes, directions and more information. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Church Music Program at The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371.