Louis Brainerd Ely, Jr.88, died peacefully at home on October 17, 2012. He was born at the Walter Reed Army Hospital, Washington DC on November 24, 1923, the son of Louis B. Ely and Dorothy Bruce (Chamberlain) Ely. He grew up in a military family and moved frequently attending 10 secondary schools before entering the Pennsylvania Maritime Academy in 1942. Lou served as a Cadet Midshipman through Chief Engineer in the US Maritime Service in all Theaters of Operation during World War II.

He married Elizabeth Alden Giles in July of 1945.

He began his civilian career ashore in 1946 as a stationary engineer operating a power plant for the Commonwealth of MA. In July of 1950 Lou was called to active duty in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. He served as a Communications Officer on Task Force 95, a member of the Armed Forces Police in the Far East and later was assigned as Base Maintenance Officer at the Charleston Naval Shipyard in SC.

Upon release from active duty in late 1953 he relocated to the Upper Valley where he was employed as Assistant Chief Engineer at Dartmouth College. In 1956 he entered the health care field as an Engineer and Project Manager at Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA. The family returned to the Upper Valley with Lou assuming the duties of the Administrative Engineer at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and later becoming a member of the hospital administration. He retired in 1986 as Administrator for Facilities Management and Planning having overseen much of the expansion of Mary Hitchcock, on Maynard Street, including the original Norris Cotton Cancer Center.

In 1984, the Elys became partners in a barge charter service in Europe. Traveling by barge through many countries proved to be a wonderful social platform to experience the Old World with family, friends and the occasional charter. During the years on the barge and thereafter in Europe, Louis conducted interviews with survivors of World War II from the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, England, Italy and Denmark. Often his only question to those he was talking with was "what happened in your life from May of 1939 to May of 1945?" The answers provided a fascinating view of history from people who lived in the tumultuous, dangerous and difficult WW II years.

Recently, an enjoyable activity was meeting with the Hitchcock Boys on Tuesday mornings to enjoy good company, trips down memory lane and attempts to solve local and global problems.

Lou will be remembered for his commitment to Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, his fascination with history, his love of the sea, his extensive photo hobby, his skill as a storyteller and most of all his love of family.

He is survived by his wife, partner and best friend of 67 years, Elizabeth; his children Dr. Susan Ely of Roanoke, VA, Dr. Pamela Ely and her husband, Richard Husband of Etna, NH and David Ely and wife Janet of Underhill Center, VT, and five grandchildren, Joshua Ely Bernstein and wife Natasha Bowdoin, Jonasz Ely-Rubik, and Elizabeth, Erika and Joshua Anderson.

A gathering for the celebration of Lou's life will take place at the Hanover Inn, at 3PM on Friday, November 23, 2012. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation be made in Lou's memory to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home, Hanover, NH.