Roland "Abe" Ellis

Roland Lincoln Ellis, known since childhood as "Abe," lost a long and valiant struggle against cancer on Sept. 9, 2026, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse. He was 69 years old.

During nearly a year of chemotherapy, Abe's beautiful spirit never wavered. It didn't matter how tired or uncomfortable he might be, there was always a welcoming smile and a hug for anyone who came to see him. And true to his ever-upbeat personality, he never stopped believing he was going to win this fight.

Abe was also born at St. Joseph's Hospital, not long after his parents moved to Baldwinsville in 1957. As a young boy, he competed several times (and often won!) the then-popular annual Punt, Pass & Kick competition. Before graduating in 1975 from C.W. Baker High School, he was the placekicker for the Baldwinsville Bees' varsity football team. His prowess at the tee was well known by local sports writers who often referred to him as "Automatic Abe." He also made a name for himself as a midfielder on Baldwinsville High School's varsity lacrosse team.

Abe received a Congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and was recruited by Navy coaches as a prospect for its Division-1 lacrosse team. But it wasn't long before he was back on a football field, handling placekicking duties for the Midshipmen from 1976 until 1978 and dubbed "Golden Toe." The Mids' record-breaking 1978 season earned them a victorious trip to the inaugural Holiday Bowl in San Diego, California, and a Top 25 ranking among Division-1 college football teams.

In 1979, after earning a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and graduating from the Naval Academy, he entered flight school in Pensacola, Florida, and received his "Wings of Gold" the following summer. From there, he departed for Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach for training as a bombardier/navigator on the A-6 Intruder, an all-weather attack aircraft. Two years later, he was assigned to the "Sunday Punchers" of Attack Squadron (VA-75) on the USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier.

In the remaining years of his Navy career, Abe became a commander of Medium Attack Wing One's Weapons and Electronics Warfare Readiness, the first lieutenant ever selected for that position. In 1987, he resigned from active duty and then spent another 20 years in the Naval Reserve, culminating that portion of his career with two tours as a Commanding Officer at Naval Air Station Norfolk (VA).

During his Naval Reserve service, Abe enjoyed a successful career in commercial real estate, having specialized in industrial property sales and leasing with Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate Services, Virginia Commercial, and Cushman & Wakefield/Thalhimer.

From 2014 until he retired for good in 2024, Abe didn't get far from the water as he and his wife owned and operated the Salmon River Lighthouse & Marina business at the intersection of the Salmon River and Lake Ontario.

Abe was predeceased by his mother, Helen Nolan, and his father, Bernard Ellis.

He is survived by his lifelong friend and loving wife, Kathleen (Barnell) Ellis; daughter Kristen (Kristian) Holmquist of Houston, TX, sons Carl (Jenn) Holmquist of Arlington, VA and David (Morgan) Ellis of Virginia Beach, VA; sister Suzanne Ellis of Baldwinsville and brother Craig (Laurie) Ellis of Palos Verdes Estates, CA.

Abe is also survived by his stepchildren, Gary Kolodziejzyk Jr. of Syracuse, Laura Kolodziejczyk of Jamesville, and Erin (Christopher) Matragrano of North Brunswick, NJ; four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are Oct. 1 from 4-7 p.m. at Falardeau Funeral Home, 93 Downer St. The funeral is Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church at 47 Syracuse St. with a luncheon and Celebration of Life to follow at the Suds Factory River Grill, 3 Syracuse St. All locations are in Baldwinsville.

Donations in Abe's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society at American Cancer Society or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Donations may also be made to the Lacrosse Center Fund for construction of a lacrosse stadium at the Naval Academy, Attn: Michael Kelly, Ricketts Hall, 566 Brownson Road, Annapolis, MD 21402.