Stephen F. Ells

Stephen Frank Ells, age 73 of Lincoln, passed away peacefully from his illness on June 30, 2008 at his residence after a long devotion to his family and the environment.�

Born in Boston in 1935, he grew up in Waltham on Trapelo Farm. He was a graduate of the Belmont Hill School, Harvard University, and Harvard Law. As a Lieutenant�Commander in Naval Intelligence he endured trying times with the East aboard the USS Midway. During his career he was with Choate, Hall and Stuart Law Firm, the State Department of Natural Resources, the Conservation Law Foundation, the Massachusetts Area Planning Council, and was Governor�Frank Sargeant's Chief Legal Council. He then worked tirelessly to clean up Boston Harbor and the rest of the region while at the Environmental Protection Agency until his retirement in 1990.

During retirement he continued his dedication to his family, land preservation, and a lifelong love of birds. The furthering of his mother's genealogical work proved invaluable. His efforts for Estabrook Woods and Thoreau country in general spoke volumes. Even the bobolinks benefited from his time here.�

He is survived by his fianc�e Susan McMurray, his three sons David, Nathaniel, and Jonathan, and their mother, Laura. He is also survived by his three granddaughters, Emery, Evelyn, and Caroline.