RALPH ELLSWORTH PASSED AWAY SUNDAY MORNING

Fairfax – Ralph W. Ellsworth, 90 passed away Sunday morning, June 11, 2006 at the Redstone Villa Nursing Home in St. Albans following a short illness.

Ralph was born in the Ellsworth homestead on Comette Road in Fairfax on April 26, 1916, the son of the late Clint and Lizzie ( Blakey ) Ellsworth.

On December 25, 1942, he married Ruth Leach in the Leach homestead in Fairfax.

He and Ruth were married for over 56 years. Ruth predeceased him in 1999.

Ralph was a member of the United Church of Fairfax and was a lifelong dairy farmer and Fairfax resident. He always enjoyed maple sugaring in the spring.

Following retirement, he drove school bus for the Town of Fairfax for 12 years.

Ralph was a proud member of the Masons, Lamoille Lodge # 6, and in later years was a member of the Fairfax Friendly Neighbors Senior Citizens, where he spent many hours picking up Seniors for their weekly gatherings. He also loved to travel and to play cards with his friends.

Ralph is survived by his children John Ellsworth and his spouse Marjorie, Jim Ellsworth and his friend Mary Spaulding, and Mary Jane Machia and her husband Jim, all of Fairfax.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Beth Jasinski and her husband Brett of Swanzey, N.H., Joanne Ellsworth of Williston, Kelley Quick and her husband Toby of Fletcher, Kimberly Ellsworth and her fiancé Dan Gregoire of Williston, Kathi Ellsworth and her fiancé Nate Muehl of Fletcher, Miranda Machia of Fairfax, and Martha Machia and her friend Andre Languarand of Elmore, VT. and Rhinecliff, N.Y., by his great-grandchildren Jared & Mara Quick of Fletcher, Kyle and Michael Boucher III of Fairfax, Isaac and Abigail Jasinski of Swanzey, N.H., by his brother-in-law Larry Leach of St. Albans Bay, his sister in law Marion Webb of St. Albans, and by several nieces, nephews and cousins, and longtime family friend Charlotte McNall of Fairfax.

In addition to Ruth, Ralph was predeceased by his daughter-in-law Cheryl Ellsworth, his sisters and spouses Reba and Francis Bessette; and Ola and Harland Tracy, his sister-in-law Mary Leach and brother-in-law Bill Webb.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday June 17, 2006 at 11am in the United Church of Fairfax with the Rev. Elizabeth Griffin officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall following the service. A family gathering will be held at a later time for Ralph’s burial, in the Sanderson Corners Cemetery in Fairfax. For those who wish, contributions in Ralph’s memory may be made to either: the United Church of Fairfax, c/o Sally Sweet, Treasurer, Sweet – Slattery Road, E. Fairfield, Vt. 05448; Redstone Villa Activity Fund, 7 Forest Hill Drive, St. Albans, Vt. 05478; or to the Fairfax Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 428, Fairfax, VT. 05454 .

Arrangements were by the Minor Funeral Home in Milton.