Ellsworth F. Rice, age 79, of Norwell, peacefully surrounded by loving family on December 15, 2011. Beloved husband and best friend of 52 years to Patricia A. (Ward). Father of Jenifer Walsh and her husband Paul of Braintree, Garrett Rice and wife Anna of Framingham, Amy Barrett and husband Scott of Hanover, Scott Rice and wife Donna of Norwood, Sheila Norton and husband Timothy of East Bridgewater, Keith Rice and wife Maria of Marshfield, Alicia Rice and fiancé Mark Torchetti of Norwell, and the late Emily Kate Rice. Brother of Cynthia Burnham of Wareham and Loretta Van Tilburg of Milton, FL.  Much loved Papa of 15 grandchildren.

Mr. Rice was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the US Navy.  He was a Master Half Hull carver as well as a carver of birds and duck decoys. He was a teacher at Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, Maine. Mr. Rice was also a member of Local 424 Carpenters Union for over 30 years and served as the financial secretary. Ellsworth was regarded as the patriarch of the Rice and Ward families and will be greatly missed – a brother-in-law and uncle to many.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 at 10:30 am in St. Helen Church, 383 Washington St. (Rt. 53), Norwell, MA. Visiting hours Sunday, Dec. 18 from 3-7 pm in the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 30 Central St. (off Rt. 123, near State Police Barracks), Norwell Center. Interment Washington Street Cemetery, Norwell.  If desired, donations in Elzie's memory may be made to the Norwell VNA & Hospice, 120 Longwater Cir., Norwell, MA. 02061.

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