David H. Ela
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David H. Ela, of Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away on March 24, 2021 after a 20+ year struggle with Parkinson's and Myasthenia Gravis. His wife of nearly 52 years was with him until the end.
David was born on August 18, 1936 in North Anson, Maine, the son of Arthur and Mildred (Counce) Ela. He attended school and graduated from Anson Academy in North Anson in 1953. Mr. Ela received a Bachelor's Degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1957. He then served in the United States Army in Georgia, Okinawa and Oklahoma. Following his stint in the army, he returned home to North Anson and helped run the family business, the Carrabassett Light and Power Company until its sale to Central Maine Power in 1981. He was a Master Electrician.
With his first wife Jean, he had three children, Lynn, Melody and Robert. He married Patricia (Eames) Ela, on June 21, 1969. Together they raised two children, Abigail and David. Mr. Ela was a renowned genealogist, a member of several genealogy organizations, and had books published. People from around the country sought his assistance in constructing their own family tree. He was an active member of the Northern Star Masonic Lodge for more than sixty years and a Past Master. Another interest was travel. David and Patty enjoyed travelling anywhere with warm weather and a beach. St. Martin was a particular favorite. These trips provided wonderful memories even after illness made further travel impossible.
David was not a talkative man, but when he did speak, people listened and valued his opinion. He enjoyed a good joke, and possessed a dry sense of humor. David was predeceased by a daughter, Melody Kae, his parents, his sister Katherine Jackson, and brother-in-law Don Eames (Ruth), and sister-in-law Helen Shaw (Mose). He is survived by his wife Patty Ela, of Myrtle Beach, SC; four children, Lynn Dennison and her husband Michael of Hollis, ME; Robert Ela and his wife Stacy of Standish, ME; Abigail McKenney and her husband Sherwood of Madison, ME; and David Ela, and his wife Jaime, of Anson, ME; thirteen grandchildren - Jamie, Zach, Colby, Jake, Amanda, April, Tori, Rylie, Rhett, Hilary, Courtney, Morgan, and Sydney; brother Walter Ela and his wife Shirley, brother-in-law Harland Jackson, and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the caregivers from Comfort Keepers and Lower Cape Fear Lifecare who were so helpful in the last few years. A graveside service will be held at the Sunset Cemetery in North Anson, ME, at 2:00p.m. on June 12, 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a Parkinson's Disease charity of your choice.