LOHMAN FUNERAL HOME
733 West Granada Avenue
Ormond Beach, Florida
Dennis E. (Ted) McLellan, age 96, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2018 at his home in Ormond Beach, FL, surrounded by his loved ones. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 10 am with Father Joe Morgan as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery with Military Honors.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday at Frary Funeral Home, 515 Caroline St., Ogdensburg, NY on Thursday 11/08/2018 from 4 pm until 8 pm.
Memorial donations can be made in his name to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 214 Morris St., Ogdensburg, NY 13669 or to The Claxton Hepburn Medical Center Foundation.
Ted was born on August 13, 1922 in Ogdensburg, NY, the son of Archibald M. and Beatrice Fraser McLellan. He attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy. Upon graduation, he attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He left the program early to enlist and then served in the U.S. Navy as a Fighter Pilot, flying many missions during the Pacific Theatre. He earned the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon and the Philippine-Liberation star, as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air medals.
After the war, he returned home to marry Elizabeth (Betty) Saunders and attended Simmons School in Syracuse. He took over the McLellan Funeral Home, which was established by his father in 1913. Ted and Betty owned and operated the funeral home until 1984 when they retired and moved to Ormond Beach, FL.
Surviving him are 5 sons: Thomas C., Port Orange, FL, David J., Ormond Beach, FL, William P., Ogdensburg, NY, James J., Ormond Beach, FL, Timothy J., Ogdensburg, NY; 3 daughters, Mary Victoria Hebert, Ormond Beach, FL, Kathleen M. O’Malia, Ormond Beach, FL, Mary Denise, Brooklyn, NY; 17 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Betty, a son, Teddy, and a grandson, Patrick, as well as his parents and six siblings: Arch, Tom, Sally (McCadam), and Mary Catherine (Krebs), Tim, and John.
While living in Ogdensburg, Ted was very involved in the community. He was a member of St. Mary’s Parish Council, Chairman of St. Mary’s Cemetery Association, and served as an usher at St. Mary’s Cathedral for many years. He devoted time to teaching in the CCD program, as well. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus. He was active in the Kiwanis organization, and served as Commissioner of the Kiwanis Grasshopper Baseball League. Ted sat on the A. Barton Hepburn Hospital Board of Directors, and was Chairman of the Ogdensburg Housing Authority.
Ted spent his life devoted to his family and friends and showed genuine concern for others. His favorite past time was cooking and entertaining large groups of people, especially holding court at his grill. He was happiest serving a big meal and sharing his stories and jokes, often laughing until he cried. Ted loved spending time at and on the St. Lawrence River. He had many interests including gardening, hunting, fishing, and golfing, where he proudly captured a hole in one. He loved the challenge of a crossword puzzle or a game of bridge and, until recently, was executing winning hands. At the end of the day, Ted’s favorite expression was, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
Ensign McLellan, Thank you for your service to Country, Church, Community, and love of Friends and Family.