There aren’t enough words to describe the generous, true spirited, genuinely lovely person that Kay is. The world can use a bajillion more. I’m not sure there were many others that left as many 100% positive impressions on every person they met as The Ellis Family has left through their work of passion on The Most Beautiful Boat In Gloucester Harbor, The Schooner Thomas E Lannon. We will miss her dearly. Like I said, there are no words that can explain how perfect she was. There’s no way you could duplicate her spirit. Thank you Kay for all you’ve done for the community, the GMG community and my family. We love you and miss you.
Our heartfelt condolences to Tom and The Ellis Family.
Matthew Green Photo
Kay’s Obituary from son Brian-
Kay (Bonaventura) Ellis, 65, of Gloucester passed away at home on March 2, 2016 after a yearlong battle with ovarian cancer. Kay was the loving wife of Tom Ellis whom she shared 37 years of marriage.Kay was born in Beverly, MA on October 22, 1950 to the late Louis and Margaret (Larkin) Bonaventura.
Kay grew up in Beverly and graduated from Beverly High School in 1968. She studied at UMass Amherst and graduated in 1972 with a BA in Sociology. Kay spent most of her life in Gloucester.
Kay’s husband Tom always dreamed of building a schooner to help bring history alive and introduce tourist and locals alike to the amazing wonders of Gloucester. Tom was the dreamer, but Kay made it happen. In 1997, Kay and Tom sold their other businesses, borrowed every nickel they could, and built the Schooner Thomas E Lannon. For the last 17 years, every 5th grader in the City of Gloucester has come for a sail welcomed by Kay and Tom. She and Tom played host to many of the best parties in town.
Before owning the Schooner Lannon, Kay also co-owned Essex River Basin Adventures in Essex. Kay had previously been a reading teacher, Realtor, and worked for the Beverly Housing Authority.
Kay served the City of Gloucester and the Cape Ann community in many ways. She served on the West Parish and O’Maley School PTOs, the School Connection, the North of Boston CVB, and helped start the Discover Gloucester DMO.
Kay loved life. She and Tom often told their friends and sons that their goal was to have all the fun of retirement early. And so for the last 8 winters, they would drive a few thousand miles from Gloucester, MA to Driggs, ID. There, they would ski 80+ days every winter at Grand Targhee in Wyoming. Kay was always first on the chairlift in the morning for fresh powder. She would ski hard all day and then go cross-country skiing with her dog, Lucy in the afternoon while Tom read cowboy and pirate books. One of Kay’s favorite memories was taking her granddaughter Sydney skiing for the first time. She loved travel, skiing, horseback riding (she grew up riding at Pine Tree Equestrian Center in Beverly Farms), and most of all adventure.
Kay is survived by two sons, Heath J. and his wife Yvonne G. Ellis of Gloucester and Brian T. and his wife Malisa K. Ellis of Arlington. Kay is also survived by her grandchildren, Sydney K. Ellis and Eliza G. Ellis. Kay was the sister to the late Paul Bonaventura. Kay is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Kay’s celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the Gloucester House 63 Rogers Street, Gloucester, 6:00 pm. Relatives and close friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be in Dolliver’s Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kay’s honor to “Turning the Tide Ovarian Retreat” which was a great encouragement to Kay in her last year. They should be sent to the
Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center, Michael Reisman, director, PO BOX 322, Elsworth, Maine 04605
Please put IN HONOR OF KAY ELLIS in the memo line on the check.
— with Kay Ellis.
Good Morning Gloucester 
She certainly will be missed, Kay and her smile will be with her family and our community forever..
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Hey Joey –
Kay sounds like a beautiful person.
So sorry for your loss!
-MK
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So very sad. She will be greatly missed by her community that loves her.
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A beautiful woman and Gloucester treasure, she will be sorely missed. Sending love and prayers to Kay’s Captain Tom and sons Brian and Heath.
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This is SO sad
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Kay was so kind, smart, outgoing and friendly. When we were doing public relations for Gloucester, she always bent over backwards to help because she believed in our city and wanted to help. She and Tom helped so many of us to know and love the harbor firsthand by bringing us out on the Lannon. A wonderful lady. Condolences to Tom and family.
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Life on the wharf will never be the same without her smile and laugh……I am truly heartbroken for all who loved her and for Tom and her sons…….Peace to Kay……
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Spot on, Joey. Not enough words. And there never will be.
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She showed us a fine example of how to live …
Bon Voyage, Beautiful Woman!
Now other shores will be graced with your presence.
Love and warm hugs to her family and all who know and love her!
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So sorry to hear about this. She was a sweet person. I met her at West Parish when my kids were young and went there many years ago….thinking of your family r.i.p. Kay
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Will NEVER be enough words to describe the wonderful Kay! She has been so supportive of her family, the Lannon and Gloucester! What a shame to lose such a wonderful gal!
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Kay was an icon of Gloucester, a joy to know, a wonderful promoter of the city and sailing, and a constant reminder of how high the virtues caring and friendliness can go. We will all miss her terribly. Much love and condolences to Tom, Brian and Heath and all the Ellis family.
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Fair Winds and Following Seas.
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So very sad and such a loss for the Ellis family, Gloucester and beyond. So sorry to read this.
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My condolences to her family and dear friends. Such a big loss. I am grateful for all her contributions to our community.
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Sorry for my non PC
comment but this sucks. She was a sweetheart. Why do the good ones leave us so soon. God bless Kay an her family!
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Joey so sorry for the loss of a great friends words are always hard in these time! Remember she lives within each of you she has touched and that will never leave your heart and will leave on through the waves of life always making it to shore!! Dave 😦 & Kim 😦
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A truly good person inside and out who always had something good to say whenever our paths crossed. I wish they had crossed more often.
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Kay and the Ellis family saw us trough one of our most difficult family times. Bringing us smiles, laughter and wonderful memories at the moment we could not find them. Amazing to read all the wonderful tributes and find she has done so much for so many others and her community. Our Gloucester visits included a visit to Kay and always her smile. With fond memories we will miss her.
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Always sad when a beautiful person is lost to the world. May memories of her always be treasured.
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