Bruce Ellis Obituary

On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Bruce Charles Ellis died unexpectedly at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. Bruce was born in Washington, DC on July 20, 1944, and was a lifelong resident of the Washington area. Bruce is now at peace in Heaven alongside his parents Clarence "Slim" and Marguerite "Fifi" Ellis, his best friend and identical twin brother Jeff Ellis, and his beloved daughter Julie Ellis LeMoult.
Following graduation from Georgetown Preparatory School and Mt. St. Mary's College, Bruce's love of country led him into military service as an officer in the United States Air Force. Following his service in the Air Force, Bruce returned home to help run the family business, Ridgewell's Catering. Bruce and his brother Jeff managed the business during a period of rapid growth, during which time Ridgewell's became the city's premier caterer and Bruce and Jeff were recognized as respected members of the Washington business community.
Later in life Bruce and his wife Donna enjoyed family and friends in Maryland and in Jupiter, Florida, where they had a second home. Bruce loved golf, boating, good jokes, and spending time with his many friends who knew him as a kind man and a consummate gentleman. More than anything, Bruce centered his life around his love of family as a devoted husband to Donna, who was the love of his life, and as a proud father and grandfather.
Bruce is survived by Donna, his beloved wife of 57 years; daughter Sheri and her partner John; daughter Andrea and her husband Tom; daughter Christiane and her husband Steve; daughter Julie's husband Chris; and his eleven grandchildren: Katie, Emily, Charlie, Lexi, J.P., Megan, Logan, Trevor, Caton, Jack, and Keely. Bruce will also miss Elizabeth "Yaya" Codog, who cared for Bruce with great love and compassion in his final years.
The Funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22, at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Potomac, Maryland, with a reception to immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bruce's memory to The Shepherd Foundation at www.theshepherdfoundation.org or The Yellow Ribbon Fund at www.yellowribbonfund.org.