MANCHESTER – Ruel Chester “Busta” Ellis, 74, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2021 with his loving wife, Janice, by his side. Ruel was born in Augusta on Feb. 1, 1947 to Ruel P. and Helen I. (Cameron) Ellis. He was a 1965 graduate of Cony High School and attended Ricker College and the University of Maine.

Ruel had a remarkable 30-year military service, honorably representing the U.S. Naval Reserve Seabees. He retired as Master Chief Equipmentman in 1998. He rarely left the house without proudly sporting his beloved Seabees cap.

In addition to serving his country, he worked alongside his father for 20 years in the family business, Ellis Auto of Augusta. He was also employed by Malcolm Cadillac Olds, Capital Area Technical Center, the USPS, and the State of Maine BMV, where he retired in 2009.

He was a 50-year Mason of Bethlehem Lodge #35 in Augusta. He held memberships and distinguished positions at several other organizations including the American Legion Post 40 in Winthrop, the AmVets Post 2001 in Augusta, and the Shriners.

In 1968 he married Deborah Herbert and became the proud father of Cameron and Elysee, raising his family in Winthrop for many years. In 2001, he met Janice Poulin while delivering mail to the Maine Arts Commission where she was employed. They married in 2002 and he lived out his next chapter of life alongside her in Manchester.

Ruel was a self-proclaimed home-body. He rarely left the State of Maine, and only then, under protest. Some of his happiest moments were spent camping with Janice in Maine’s many State Parks. He preferred the camping basics: a tent, his 40-year-old stove and old Coleman lantern hanging from his father’s handmade shepherd hook. His favorite spot was sitting by the fire with his book and pipe. He also enjoyed hunting, woodworking, and fishing at Moosehead Lake.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ruel and Helen; and daughter-in-law Elyse LaPlant-Ellis. He is survived by his son Cameron LaPlant-Ellis and wife Lana of Vassalboro, daughter Elysee Ellis Pimenta and husband Charlie of Pittston; grandchildren Nathan, Logan, and Isabel McDonald; stepdaughter Michelle Russell of Farmingdale, stepson Michael Poulin and wife Patricia of Manchester; stepgrandchildren Mike, Molly and Matthew Poulin and Gabby Russell; sister Melinda Chouinard of Wilton; and many special, lifelong friends, including the fathers of his grandchildren Steven McDonald and Christopher Russell.

A memorial service will be held on May 27, at 2 p.m., at the Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery on Civic Center Drive, with a reception to follow at the VFW, 509 Leighton Road, Augusta.

Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com

God saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb

So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered, “Peace be thine.”

Please consider a donation to one of Ruel’s favorite charities in his memory:

American Legion Post #40 Scholarship Fund

117 Bowdoin Street

Winthrop, ME 04364 or:

the Travis Mills

Foundation at

travismillsfoundation.org or:

the Wounded Warrior Project at

woundedwarriorproject.org