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.
Obituary for my mom:
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.
ITS BACK… just a few details to start. More will be posted as we get closer to game day. Registration is now open:
, the Massachusetts Money Management Program, and the Gloucester Council on Aging; and will be presented by SeniorCare’s Money Management Program Manager Sarah Wetzel.
Good Morning Gloucester 