Obituary of Robert H. Ellison

Robert H. BBop Ellison 62 years, husband of Shirley E. (Hicks) Ellison of Peabody died Friday June 25th at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis IN from injuries suffered in a crash during the Goodguys Hot Rod Nationals held at IRP on June 12, 2004. Mr. Ellison was born on July 7, 1941 in Beverly son of the late William M. and Sarah (Hammond) Ellison. He was raised in Peabody and graduated from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School class of 1959 and was a lifelong resident of Peabody. Following his graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Essex aircraft carrier from 1959 to 1961. In 1961, he began his work career as a mechanic at the former Cooper Ford of Peabody, which later became Thomas Ford and moved to Beverly. For the last 20 years he was employed as the parts manager at Ipswich Ford until his retirement in July 2003. He was also well known on the North Shore as a 50’ s DJ and for hosting the radio show Uncle Henry’ s Basement on WMWM at Salem State College. He enjoyed traveling with his wife to the Caribbean, where he enjoyed scuba diving and had completed his 100th dive. He loved jitterbug and swing dancing, hiking and spending time with his family on Lake Wentworth in NH. In addition to his high school sweetheart whom he shared 42 years of marriage, he is survived by a daughter and her husband, Donna M. and Sean Duffy of Huntersville NC; a son, David R. Ellison of San Francisco CA; a sister and her husband, Judith and Alan Riley of Reading; his mother-in-law, Elma Hicks of Peabody, a niece and her husband, Elizabeth and Christopher Medina of NM; a nephew and his wife, Todd and Cheryl Riley of Peabody and his many friends whom he considered as his extended family. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life, which will be held on Thursday from 5 - 9 p.m. at the Italian American Citizens Club, 7 Blaney Ave., Peabody. A private family funeral service will be held. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Brain Injury Association of America (www.biausa.org) 8201 Greensboro Dr., Suite 611, McLean VA 22102. Arrangements by the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St., Peabody location. Sad Day For NED Family Posted Friday, June 25, 2004 7:57 PM by nednews By Stu Lord New England drag racing competitors, friends and fans lost one of the most respected guys in the sport. Bob Ellison of Peabody, Massachusetts, passed away on Friday, June 25, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, from injuries suffered in a crash during the Goodguys Hot Rod Nationals held at IRP. Bob’ s entire life revolved around two things; his wife Shirley and racing. From his earliest days in the 60’ s at Sanford Maine, to Crew Chief and partner in the Boston Strangler Funny Car, Bob and Shirley were fixtures along the entire East Coast. Some days it would be on rod runs in their chopped, blown and flamed Merc. Other times with would be with long time friend and partner Rick McGarvey, who recently restored their Ellison & McGarvey A/GS ’ 33 Willy’ s coupe they campaigned in the late 60’ s and early 70’ s. On May 30, Bob and Rick won the Gasser Class at the Downeast Streetrods Northeast Nostalgia Classic at New England Dragway. Bob was instrumental in shaping the future of drag racing in New England. He was a member of the New England Dragway Board of Directors and served as the corporation’ s Vice-President. Track Manager Joe Lombardo stated, Bob’ s love of the sport was infectious. All of us are deeply saddened by this news. Bob was inspirational. He loved drag racing and remained absolutely committed to making New England Dragway one of the best race tracks in the country Bob and Shirley were also known as Boppin’ Bob and Shirley, a well-known and highly demanded DJ team. His extensive collection of early rock and Do-Wop music kept the popular pair busy with various functions, dances he produced and a popular radio show he hosted out of Salem, Massachusetts. Bob and Rick ran The Tinker Shop, a full service machine shop specializing in one-off parts and the rebuilding of superchargers for both street and strip. Recently retired from Ipswich Ford where he was their Parts Manager, he also ran a highly popular car show every year from that location. His skills were always in demand, building blown, alcohol hemi engines for the tractor pulling circuit. Shirley wishes to thank everyone for their kindness in her loss, and especially those who donated money to help out with many unforeseen expenses immediately following the crash. Bob Ellison truly was a very special person and will be greatly missed. A special tribute is being planned for the Oriental’ s New England Hot Rod Reunion on July 18, at New England Dragway.