Paul Ellman, 84, of Shadow Lake Village in Red Bank NJ, died at his home on Saturday Dec. 15 after a stoic battle against a long illness. Marlene, his wife of 61 years and his family were at his bedside. Brooklyn-born and raised, Paul was educated at Midwood High School and in 1946 enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Command, serving with honor at Naval Air Station in San Diego. After completing his military service and graduating from Brooklyn College he became a technical writer and went on to enjoy a career in advertising. He was also a dedicated tennis player who developed a maddening ability to return his opponents' best shots until he finally just wore them down. But perhaps his most memorable accomplishment followed his retirement, when his gift for writing found expression in a column published for more than a decade in his local community newspaper. 'Just Musing' was Paul's way of recalling his Brooklyn roots and Brooklyn's cultural icons -- from Ebbetts Field to Coney Island's Bay 7 -- and using them as touchstones for his personal reflections on life in our modern times. Readers of the Shadow Lake Village 'Chatterbox' were routinely moved by Paul's common touch, even mailing copies of his columns to relatives and friends who shared his values of honesty, plain talk and unshakeable loyalty. In addition to Paul's wife, survivors in his immediate family include his children Michael Ellman and Susan Ellman, grandchildren Rachel, Sarah, Emma, and Jacob; and his son-in-law Ira Gerstler. A memorial celebration will be held at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road at 1:30 PM on Sunday, December 23rd. In lieu of flowers, Paul's family will appreciate contributions in his memory to Ronald McDonald House, 405 East 73rd Street, New York, NY 10021, or online at www.rmh-newyork.org/give.