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Gordon H. Ely, 93, of Essex lived a long and happy life and died peacefully on April 17, surrounded by his family. Gordon was born in Old Lyme on Feb. 22, 1929, son of Clarence Samuel Ely and Ellen (Richards) Ely. He attended Old Lyme High School and then joined the National Guard in Niantic. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War in 1951. Upon his return, he went to work at the L.C. Doane Co. in Essex and retired after 41 years as chief inspector.

Gordon was a member of the Old Lyme Fire Department for 71 years. In 1956, he married the love of his life, Lois D’Addario, formerly of West Hartford, and was married for 65 years, residing in Essex since 1960. They had three children, Sharon (Bill) DeMars of Essex, Laurie (Rob) Friedman of Westborough, Massachusetts, and Mark (Kelli) Ely of Wethersfield. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Caitlin Corriveau (DeMars) and her husband Philip of Medford, Massachusetts, Paul and Kimberly Friedman of Westborough, Massachusetts, and Kendall and Kyle Ely of Wethersfield. He was predeceased by his brothers Theodore, Edwin, Donald, Joseph, John, and Robert Ely, originally from Old Lyme, and half-siblings Marie (Jenkins) Lancaster, Annie (Jenkins) Han, and Richard Jenkins, originally of East Lyme.

Gordon proudly carried the American flag in the Color Guard for many years in the Essex Memorial Day Parade. He loved his dogs, gardening, UConn women’s basketball, and the Red Sox. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his entire family. He will be remembered for his mischievous smile, caring nature, and generosity.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 14 Prospect Street, Essex. Interment with full military honors will be held following the Mass at Duck River Cemetery, Old Lyme. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association at heart.org/plannedgiving or 1-800-242-8721. Arrangements are by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home of Centerbrook. To share a memory of Gordon or condolence message with his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com.