Samuel Laurence Ely IV

Published 10:23 am Saturday, January 11, 2025

April 28, 1949 – January 2, 2025

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Samuel Laurence Ely IV, who died on January 2, 2025, at the age of 75, after battling cancer. He passed while visiting family in Richmond, VA, during the holiday season.

Sam was born in Doylestown, PA, on April 28, 1949, to Samuel and Margaret Ely. He is survived by his four children, Karol Urban, Sam Ely, John Ely, and Katherine Ely; brothers John Ely and Daniel Ely; and sisters Margaret Burgess and Barbara Ely.

A Freemason and proud graduate of Lafayette College with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Sam’s career was marked by his service as a civilian engineer with the U.S. Navy. In this role, he contributed to the design and construction of nuclear submarines and served as President of the Engineering Union. It was also during his time in Norfolk, VA, that he met his first wife, Lila Nickerson. Together, they raised a family before her passing in 2000.

Later in life, Sam moved to Kill Devil Hills, NC, where he enjoyed his retirement by the beach, sharing many years with his second wife, Patricia Warner Ely.

Sam was a man of contradictions, a complex blend of wit, warmth, tough love, and penny-pinching precision who left an indelible mark on those who knew him. His humor was razor-sharp, often catching you off-guard with a quick quip or an elaborate pun. He had an uncanny ability to make anyone in the room groan and laugh in equal measure at the corniest dad jokes imaginable, frequently driving his family to the brink of both hilarity and exasperation. His “Ely gift of gab,” as he called it, was something he passed down to his children, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and conversation that will be fondly remembered.

He will be dearly missed by his children, friends, and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. As we bid farewell to this unique character, we take comfort in the countless moments of joy and warmth he brought into our lives. Rest in peace, Sam. Your wit and wisdom will live on in our hearts forever.

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