Ronald Ellsworth Obituary

Ronald "Ron" Ellsworth, 82, of Saratoga Springs, passed away peacefully in his home on December 29, 2025. He was born on August 15, 1943, in Saratoga Springs, New York, a place he proudly called home for his entire life.
Ron was married for 58 years to the love of his life, Joyce (Bryant) Ellsworth. Their love story began before they ever officially met. Ron first saw Joyce at the Saratoga County Fair, where he was selling ice cream. She was wearing a pink cowgirl hat, and in that moment, he knew he was going to marry her. And he did.
Ron was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his beloved wife Joyce and their four daughters Lisa Ellsworth Cramer (Paul), Renee Ellsworth Kakaty (Paul), Charlene Ellsworth Reed (Roland), and Tara Ellsworth; his grandchildren Emily and Morgan Cramer, Mary and Sarah Kakaty, and Maggie and Roland Reed; great grandchildren Amelia and Abigail Mooney; sister Mary (Ellsworth) Kissko, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of friends who lovingly knew him as "Uncle Ron." He is predeceased by his parents Elizabeth and Ralph Ellsworth, brother Jerry Ellsworth, and beloved grandson, Aaron.
Born in Saratoga, "Little Ronnie" wore glasses from the age of two, a detail his mother never let anyone forget. He graduated from Saratoga High School, Class of 1961, where he served as manager for both the JV and varsity basketball teams. He later graduated from Albany Business College and went on to join his father, Ralph Ellsworth, in the family business, Ellsworth Ice Cream. His daughters will always fondly remember childhood visits and adventurous trips inside the ice cream freezer.
For over 50 years, Ron bowled with the Schuyler Bowling League, serving as its secretary. No matter how he bowled, he never came home without Dunkin' Donuts for Wednesday mornings. He had a deep passion for ancestry and genealogy, devoting countless hours to researching and teaching his family about their history. He loved horse racing and proudly taught his children and grandchildren how to bet on the ponies win or lose; it never really mattered.
Ron was sometimes inappropriately honest, often unintentionally funny, and never above embarrassing his daughters, something he seemed to enjoy just a bit. Beneath it all was a man of quiet strength, patience, deep faith, and unwavering love for his family. One of his greatest joys was hearing his daughters sing together, a sound that filled him with pride.
Ron was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary's Church, where his faith quietly guided his life. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, January 3 at 9:30am at St. Mary's Church in Ballston Spa. Burial will follow in Ballston Spa Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Friday, January 2 from 5pm to 7pm at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High Street, Ballston Spa. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. May his journey remind us all: It truly is a wonderful life.