Colonel Mark F. Ellis

Mark was born on November 5th, 1949 in Hyannis, MA, first born son to Mary (Keveney) and Harold F. Ellis. Coming home first to Church St. Sandwich, MA and in 1955 moving to 64 Murphy Way in Hyannis. He grew up as an 11th generation Cape Codder with his siblings, Kevin and Mary Ann and a neighborhood “gang” of Scudders, Cotters and Augers. He played hockey around the corner at the Kennedy Ice Skating Rink and spent beach days at Craigville and Kalmus in the summer.

His nickname of Eli began at Barnstable High School where he graduated in 1967. Proud manager of the band Rigor Mortis and the Standstills alongside his buddies and bandmates David, Chet and Mark Webster and Douglas Pinney from 1963-1970. During that time Eli had a striking resemblance to a certain Beatle! Eli went on to Ohio University where he majored in psychology and graduated in 1971 where, in addition to becoming a diehard Cleveland Indians fan, he made a lasting friendship with the Larry “Flash” Zajac family and other buddies that later became part of the “Cape Cod Commandos”.

Mark joined the Massachusetts Air National Guard in 1972. After earning his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and completing USAF pilot training, he served as an F-106 aircraft commander in the 101st Fighter Squadron and the Air Operations Officer with the 102nd Fighter Wing.

He held several additional wing positions in Supply, Transportation, Aircraft Maintenance and Logistics Plans and Programs before becoming the Logistics Group Commander. He completed his 34 year military career as the Commander of the 102nd Mission Support Group with the rank of Colonel. He held the aeronautical rating of Senior Pilot having amassed almost 2000 hours in several aircraft types. His awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, three Air Force Achievement Medals, the Air Force Expeditionary Medal and two Combat Readiness Medals. He retired in 2007.

Eli was a fixture in the town of Sandwich and could be found anywhere from hanging out in his truck watching the boats in the canal, having a Bud Light at the Sag or a Jameson at the Daniel Webster with his cousins or having his favorite meal at Stir Crazy Restaurant. He was always the connector of people whether it was from his epic 4th of July parties or organizing a get together after an event like the Sandwich Christmas stroll. Oftentimes when the bill came around it was mysteriously “taken care of”....quietly, with no fanfare. If you saw a vase of gorgeous dahlias dropped off at your door, you would know they were from Eli.

One of his greatest pleasures and joys was being part of the restoration and showing of his grandfather’s 1923 REO Speedwagon school bus, often seen at the 4th of July parade in Sandwich.

Eli loved meeting new people. When he started becoming a regular at Stir Crazy restaurant he became such a close friend to the owners that it was a “no brainer” that he would go to Cambodia when he was invited to a wedding there. He absolutely adored his relationship with his “Cambodian cousins'' and being a guest from the west for the wedding was a true life highlight.

Eli loved to travel - from his frequent trips to Virginia to see Lisa and “the girls”, boys fishing trips in Costa Rica or jetting over to Edinburgh to surprise his niece at her 40th birthday celebration. If there was a party, you know that Eli would be there or be the one who made it happen.

He took great pride in his Irish ancestry, even taking the time and effort to gather the necessary information to obtain his Irish citizenship. He traveled twice to Ireland in the 70’s and enjoyed meeting his Irish cousins in Athlone, County Roscommon.

“Every man is the architect of his own fortune” was the quote in Eli’s 1967 yearbook. He certainly designed a life where his military career and close knit community of family and friends were loved and respected. As one buddy recently commented, “You’re a legend, Eli. Your life mattered,” It most certainly did. Fly high, Colonel and we all know you will continue being our wingman in spirit.

Eli is survived by his girlfriend, Lisa Mohs and her daughters Alissa and Avery, his sister Mary Ann (Peter) Loane, niece Keveney (Markus) Baisch and many cousins. He is predeceased by his parents Harold and Mary Ellis and brother Kevin J. Ellis.

A Graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Monday May 8, 2023 at Massachusetts National Cemetery on Connery Ave. At 1:30pm, Visiting Hours will be prior from 10:30am-12:30pm, Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 Rt. 6A, Sandwich, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Otis Civilian Advisory Council (PO Box 651, Falmouth, MA 02540) or Falmouth Veterans Council, Donation Fund, 59 Town Hall Square, Falmouth, MA 02540.