Robert Ellis Jr., Cigna retiree

Robert J. Ellis Jr., 80, of Northfield, N.J., who retired in 1999 as a supervisor in the Philadelphia office of the insurance firm Cigna, died of Alzheimer's disease Thursday, May 5, at the Atlantic City campus of AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

A longtime resident of Cherry Hill, Mr. Ellis retired to the Jersey Shore in 2006.

Born in Camden, Mr. Ellis graduated from Merchantville High School and earned a bachelor's in business at Lehigh University in 1957, where he was a member of Chi Psi fraternity.

During a four-year Navy enlistment, he served in an intelligence unit in the Philippines.

Mr. Ellis began his career in the early 1960s in the information resources section of the Insurance Co. of North America in Philadelphia, his wife, Ginny, said.

"He moved into the property and casualty division of INA," she said, continuing after the merger of INA into Cigna in 1982.

In his later years with Cigna, she said, "he loved it" when he worked in the Liberty One high-rise, but when his office moved to Liberty Two, the building "swayed and he didn't like it. He didn't like heights."

When ACE Ltd. acquired Cigna's property and casualty operations in 1999, "he decided it was the best time to get out."

Mrs. Ellis said about Northfield, "I grew up here," and "it was the right time to come down," so her husband could enjoy the nearby Atlantic City Country Club.

Besides his wife, Mr. Ellis is survived by sons Robert III and Michael, a sister, and five grandchildren.

A visitation was set from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at the George H. Wimberg Funeral Home, 1707 New Rd., Linwood, N.J., before a 1 p.m. life celebration there.

Donations may be sent to Caring Inc. Box 964, Pleasantville, N.J. 08232 or caringinc.net.

Condolences may be offered to the family at ghwimberg.com.

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