Capt. Vernon David Ellars, (USMC, Ret.)

Born in Cleveland, OH, on May 19, 1933, he was the son of Vernon Paul and Helen Ellars.

Vern grew up in Chicago, where his father worked as a printer for the Chicago Tribune. He attended Mount Carmel school and Loyola University of Chicago. At Loyola, he was a stand-out track star at the 400 meter and 4x400-meter relay. The Sisters at Mount Carmel had a strong influence on Vern’s spiritual life. For a while, a young Vern considered joining the priesthood. He did not, but his love for his Catholic faith and devotion to Our Lady never wavered. After college, Vernon joined the Marine Corps and became a pilot. First stationed in Pensacola, FL, Vernon met his beloved wife, Jeanne, a Navy nurse. The Marine Corps assigned him overseas in Okinawa, Japan, and stateside at Camp LeJeune (NC) and Illinois.

Following the Marine Corps, Vernon became an Air Traffic Controller and was assigned at the National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center (NAFEC) in Atlantic City, NJ, and the Boston Air Traffic Control Center in Nashua, NH. In Nashua, Vernon raised his family with pride and participated in many community activities. He was a toastmaster, Church lecturer, local representative for the United States Military Academy at West Point, and track coach. Also, in Nashua Vernon studied at Rivier College (now University) and received his Master of Arts in Public Administration.

His career as an Air Traffic Controller granted him the opportunity to join the United Nations initiative to establish the new Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia. Living overseas nourished his love for adventure, as Vern eagerly explored the Middle East, Europe, and the United Kingdom. His enthusiastic retellings of those days, the once-in-a-lifetime cultural experiences he lived and the lifelong friends he made throughout were treasures his family will never forget.

Upon returning to the United States, Vern was assigned to FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Thus blossomed a new love for DC's magnificent architecture and museums. Vern would go to the old Smithsonian building every day for lunch to sit and learn about our nation’s most precious artifacts. Diving into life in the capital swelled his already strong pride for his country.

Retirement brought Vern and Jeanne to Cape Cod, where Jeanne felt most at home. Formerly from Southie, Jeanne always dreamed of retiring on the Cape. At the time, Vern was not sure the quiet life was for him. Ironically, the real question should have been: Was Cape Cod ready for Vern Ellars? His exuberant personality, zest for life and fun permeated everything he did here. He was passionate about being involved in many activities in Dennis, including serving as the Chaplain in Cape and Islands Detachment 955 of the Marine Corps League, a fourth-degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, and volunteering many hours in the Recreation Department, the Police Association, the Senior Center and the Walk and Talk Club.

After Vern’s wife passed to Heaven in February 2001, Vern continued to thrive with his Cape Cod community. He made friends everywhere he went. Whether you met him at the bank, Scargo, Good Friends Café, or Johnny Kelly Park, you knew Vern’s enthusiasm and embrace for Life.

Most recently, Vern was making plans to travel again while raising his dog, Sparky. Vern was a kind and gentle soul to animals and loved many dogs in his life. He was often seen tooling around town with one of his terriers. His favorite, Joannie Baloney, has a plaque on a bench at the community park.

Vern is predeceased by his wife, Jeanne Ellars (née Sullivan) and his daughter, Beverly Sullivan (née Ellars). He is survived by three daughters: Patricia (Larry) Cox of Littleton, MA; Jeanine (Eric) Esperne of Medway, MA, and Stephanie (Carl) Correra of South Windham, CT. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Suzanne Sullivan of Berlin, NH; and a niece, Dyan (Dan) Sierra of Portsmouth, RI. Vern’s spirit will be carried on through his seven grandchildren: Jonathan Cox of Easton, MA; Jennifer Sweet (Kelly) of Woolwich, ME; Keely Sullivan den Bergh (Jesper) of Falls Church, VA; William Cox (Rif) of Lunenberg, MA; Joseph Cox (Heather) of Methuen, MA, Katherine Santos (Dhalia) of Littleton, MA, and James Esperne of Medway, MA.

Vern also has six adorable great grandchildren with a seventh on the way who will learn about this incredible man’s life through their parents and grandparents.

If you wish to honor Vern, please consider donating to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots or the Animal Rescue League of Brewster.

Semper Fi, Marine.

A private funeral and burial will be held for Vern.