Ronald L Elliott

Born on April 30, 1950, in Torrington, Connecticut, Ron was the son of the late Thomas and Nellie Elliott and the second youngest of five children. He graduated from Bentley College with a degree in Accounting and went on to have a 26-year career at Friendly’s, where he held leadership roles in finance, strategic planning, and international business and franchise development.

An active community member, Ron contributed his time and expertise to numerous organizations, including regional economic development councils in both Connecticut and Vermont. As president of the Somers, CT Rotary Club, he was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow award for his service.

In the last 15 years of his life, Ron and his son co-founded Smugglers' Notch Distillery, LLC. He poured his heart into the venture with the same integrity, work ethic, and family-centered values that shaped his life - building something meaningful, rooted in pride and perseverance.

Ron was known for his warm heart, quick wit, and unwavering devotion to his family. Affectionately known as “Papa,” he was happiest when surrounded by loved ones or spending time outdoors—whether on woodland trails or out on the water. He loved growing fruit trees, tending chickens and a variety of pets, watching thunderstorms roll in, marveling at big snowfalls, and having family adventures at camp or afar. He found joy in fishing, looking for wildlife, spending time in the pool, baking pies from his own harvest, supporting those in recovery, and cheering on his grandchildren at their sporting and musical events.

Ron is survived by Marcia, his wife of 52 years; his son, Jeremy Elliott and his wife Dawn and their son Ridge of Jeffersonville, VT; and his daughter, Katharine Elliott Mocciola, and her husband Ronnie and their daughters Lila and Sylvie of Yarmouth, ME. He is also survived by his siblings: Thomas Elliott, Eileen DePaoli, Darla Lovett, and Jude Mead.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 8th, 2025 at 11:00 AM followed by a reception at 12:00 PM at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Yarmouth, ME.

Friends may also come to a celebration of Ron’s life at Smugglers’ Notch Distillery in Jeffersonville, VT on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 4PM - 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Ron’s memory to “The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF)” at www.ftpf.org.

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

— Pericles

Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the Elliott family and share a memory of Ron.