Terry L. Ellis

Terry Lee Ellis, age 66, of Dolgeville, New York, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 28, 2021 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, after a courageous battle with AML.

He was born on March 8, 1955 in Little Falls New York and was the son of the late, Gordon and Bertha (Eryne) Ellis. Terry was the middle of three children. He was educated at Dolgeville Central School and graduated with the Class of 1973.

Terry developed a love of nature early on, hunting and fishing with his Grandpa Ellis, and searching the neighborhood for the best berry bushes, a search he continued throughout his life. A real-life “Dennis-the-Menace,” he kept his parents on their toes and entertained his classmates with his lively sense of humor, which endeared people to him his entire life--even those that fell for one of his pranks. In high school, Terry developed an intense love of rock and roll, and became known to friends as “Quaz” or “Quazi.”

After high school, Terry managed local McDonald’s, where he met Marianne (Keppel), who he married on October 28, 1978 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Herkimer, New York. Their daughter Katrina was born in 1981. For much of his life, Terry worked for Steet Ponte in Herkimer, New York, as a car salesman despite having little interest in cars, but he enjoyed meeting and helping people. A longtime member of the Dolgeville Football Club, he was also a high school radio announcer from the 1980's-early 2000's. His passion project was “Simply Grounds” coffee shop in Dolgeville (2006-2007), not only as a place for delicious drinks but as a place for locals to convene and chat, with him always joining in. He loved his hometown and the Adirondacks, often searching out hidden tiny streams in the woods to find the big trout. His large extended family was incredibly important to him, and he was overjoyed to become a grandpa in 2020. 

Terry will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of 42 years, Marianne I. Ellis at home; a loving daughter, Katrina, her husband, Kyle Stumpe and cherished granddaughter, Adaline of Cranston, RI; sister, Cheryl (Buster) Toher of Dolgeville NY, brother, Kevin (Linda) Ellis of Marietta, GA; in-laws, Maria and Gerard Keppel, Sr. of Little Falls, NY, Mary Willman of Little Falls, NY, Gerard Jr. (Suzanne) of Amherst, NY and Cynthia (Peter) Stoffolano of Mason, OH; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and good friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Bertha Ellis. 

Friends are invited to pay their respects on Friday, July 2, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m, at Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329. A memorial service will immediately follow at 3 p.m. also at the funeral home with Pastor Dwayne Durand officiating. Please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated for all services.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of the Oncology department at Bassett and at Wilmot Cancer Institute - University of Rochester. 

For Terry's love of fishing, please consider memorial contributions for Trout Power, Inc.,

P.O. Box 4668, Rome, New York 13442 or visit www.troutpower.org. to donate online. Please be sure to note, "In Memory of Terry L. Ellis" in the memo so the family can acknowledge the donation.

Terry will be remembered for his big heart, generosity, and sense of humor always. 

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