Condolence From: Ron Savino
Condolence: Very sorry that Jim Ellis my mentor passed on. He was the best principle I had in 37 years of teaching. Many of the young teachers back at KP felt that from 1967 to 1979 were the golden years of our teaching and Jim Ellis was the main reason. I met Jim in Muncie Indiana at Ball State University in l967 and he is the reason I came to West Hartford to teach. Wonderful man and fantastic leader.
Sunday June 11, 2017
Condolence From: Robert Ellis
Condolence: Uncle Jim: My memories of you are fond. I will miss our conversations between two people with hearing loss. At times that was a challenging situation, we might not have heard the point but the Love was surely crackling over those telephone wires.
I am proud of your service to our country in World War 2 fighting the Germans in Europe. For awhile you were the only Commissioned Officer in the Army who was not a citizen of the US. You did become a citizen at your next permanent duty station.
You loved Boston sports and I'm happy you saw and enjoyed the 10 championships in the last 17 years.
I'm going to miss you, Uncle Jim. Thanks for all you've done for the West Hartford community.
I'll Love you always.
Bob
Sunday June 11, 2017
Condolence From: Richard Ellis
Condolence: Uncle Jim,
Thank you for your service to our country during the second World War. Thank you for taking care of my grand parents for many years. I will always remember our trips to West Hartford. I was honored to be at your retirement celebration. Thank you also for all you did for the community of West Hartford.
Many years ago you talked me out of visiting Nairn saying "I would be bored silly" Instead I drove to North Sydney, NS and toured the house that was wired by my grand father and where my father spent his early years. Thank you for pointing me in that direction but Scotland is still on my bucket list.
As all in the clan that has passed before me you will always be remembered.
Friday June 09, 2017
Condolence From: Mike Hanna, Hobart AD
Condolence: On behalf of Hobart College, I salute Jim Ellis, a great American patriot and a superb Hobart Statesman. We are deeply grateful for your loyalty, Jim, and admire you for the contributions you have made and the young lives you have influenced in such positive ways. Well done, my friend, well done.
Mike Hanna, Hobart College Athletic Director
Friday June 09, 2017
Condolence From: Joel Berg
Condolence: Elaine and I enjoyed Jim's friendship at Boston U and when I worked with him at King Philip. Like him, I taught math and was a guidance counselor. Jim was a superb principal in an outstanding school district. He inspired many, students and colleagues, and will always be remembered by those who had the good fortune to know him.
Friday June 09, 2017
Condolence From: Kimberley Barrett McCord
Condolence: Jim was a bright light in my family's lives for decades, as a mentor, neighbor and friend. He was my younger brother's biggest baseball fan, and took him to more sporting events than I can remember. Many may not know this, but Jim offered an open door to the newest rookie Whalers and later Rock Cats, as they moved to Connecticut and struggled to establish a life in a strange new location. He always had a welcoming smile and a kind word. Jim will be missed by the Barrett Clan, for sure!
Tuesday June 06, 2017
Condolence From: Roy Bech
Condolence: I was saddened to read of the passing of Mr. Ellis. I was in his math class at Talcott in 1954 for 8th grade. I remember him fondly as an outstanding teacher. Being so many years ago I do not remember many specifics but 2 things I do remember. Upon entering his class on day one he said from now on we will not use the work arithmatic but rather mathematics. That of course made us feel more grown up as we were now in a mathematics class. We were now little big shots.
The next memory is kind of strange but maybe that is why I remember it and I guess it worked. Whenever Mr. Ellis really wanted to have us remember something important, he would stand on his chair or even his desk on occasion and give us the information. That sure made us pay attention to what he had to say and I can see him doing that to this day. Nice man, great teacher and long productive life. What more can we ask for?
Roy Bech
Monday June 05, 2017
Condolence From: Russ Oasis
Condolence: Mr. Ellis was my principal at King Phillip. At 66 I can look back and know that he was one of the teachers that really made an impression on me. He could relate to children and was great at making them feel included. Jim Ellis is the standard for what the world needs in educators. He will be missed.
Sunday June 04, 2017
Condolence From: Judith Howse
Condolence: Thank you for your service to our country Uncle Jim. You will truly be missed. May you rest in peace.
Saturday June 03, 2017
