SOUTH YARMOUTH, Mass. — The Cape Cod Baseball League would not be what it is today without the work of Gary Ellis. As an instrumental member of the league’s rich history, Ellis is responsible for much of the architecture surrounding the Cape League—namely the former Hall of Fame and exhibit located at the JFK Hyannis Museum. He also served as the General Manager and President of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, and multiple aspects of their organizational success can be traced back to him.

Ellis passed away on January 4, 2025, but he leaves behind an abundance of family, friends, and fans who will keep his legacy alive forever. His two daughters, Melissa and Crystal, were fortunate enough to grow up around their father and see the effects of his work with the Cape League. “Whether it was with the town of Yarmouth or the Y-D Red Sox, he did so much more than he even shared,” Melissa said. “We all see his visions through a different lens, but we can all appreciate the talent he had. The love he had for all of us, the town [of Yarmouth], and the league is really moving.”

She remembered one summer when he gave her the option to work as an intern with the Y-D Red Sox or work alongside Judy Walden Scarafile, the president of the league at the time. “When he designed the Hall of Fame on Main Street in Hyannis, I was volunteering with Judy,” Melissa recalled. “I felt like I was helping to put the vision together, so that was a really nice partnership.”

That’s just one of countless memories she shared about growing up around her father when they’d spend their summers on the Cape. However, what she remembers most about her father is how “he was a really quiet person, but once you knew him, there was just so much more than meets the eye. His love for his family and community, his talent—he did everything with passion. It came straight from the heart.”

Melissa mentioned that her father opened the door for her to work with Scarafile, and that blossomed into a wonderful relationship. Scarafile was a close family friend and spent many years working alongside Ellis. At Ellis’ celebration of life on February 7, she remarked, “It was my privilege to work side-by-side with Gary for decades and enjoy his creativity, love of baseball, and his friendship.” Outside of his family, there were few who knew Ellis as well as Scarafile did.

“If anyone was Mr. Cape Cod Baseball League, it was Gary. He knew the league from so many aspects, starting with the Y-D Red Sox, where he served on the board for decades. Truly, what Gary most enjoyed about the whole Cape League experience was watching his beloved Y-D Red Sox and designing ballparks.”

Unquestionably, the Y-D Red Sox would not have the track record of producing some of the best ballplayers without Ellis. Why? Legendary manager Scott Pickler, the winningest manager in Cape League history, was brought to Y-D by Ellis himself. Pickler originally had doubts about taking the manager position thinking it would have negative effects on his college recruiting, until he was connected with Ellis.

“Gary talked me into taking the job for one year, and now the next one will be year 27 for my ‘one-year job.’ I’m so thankful Gary talked me into it, and the rest is history.”

Like Melissa, Pickler also remembers Ellis for his love and friendship rather than his impact as an architect or General Manager. “He was a very intelligent and simple man,” Pickler remembered. “I love this guy. I never saw him get upset, never saw him raise his voice. He was just very humble, very intelligent, and we became unbelievable friends.”

One memory that stands out to Melissa was from this past summer, when her children participated in the Y-D kids camp. Gary got to watch his grandchildren play alongside the Y-D roster, and “it was amazing. My dad loved it,” she said. “For him to see that, I knew it meant a lot to him.” Special opportunities that connected their family, like the kids' camp and listening to her kids sing during the seventh-inning stretch, are memories she’ll cherish forever.

Pickler laughed about a phone call he shared with Ellis one year when Y-D was in the Cape League Championship. Despite Ellis’ unwavering support for the team, he called Pickler before the game and said, “I’m not going to be there! Good luck, I wish I could be there, but I’m going camping with my family, so you’re on your own!”

Pickler expressed how he never once heard anyone say something negative about Ellis. He was so impressed by how Ellis was a “special friend who had so much wisdom and knowledge.” When he was asked to come speak at Ellis’ celebration of life, it was an easy decision to make the trip out to Cape Cod.

Everyone will continue to see the effect Gary had on the Cape League and Y-D long after his passing. “Gary’s first big baseball project was to renovate Red Wilson Field with a new press box, broadcast booth, and the biggest and most impressive snack shack in the league,” Scarafile explained. After its completion, “Red Wilson Field was now a showcase!” He would later redesign the Hyannis Harbor Hawks field and go on to design the Cape League Hall of Fame.

“You’d want him as your best friend, I’ll tell you that,” Pickler said. “He’s loyal, sincere, and it was real.”

Ellis’ obituary, information regarding ways to support and donate to Wild Care of Cape Cod and the Yarmouth Firefighters, and the Ellis Family GoFundMe can be found using the links provided.

Images courtesy of Melissa Kolcz