Peter F. Ellis

Scripture scholar

LACONIA - Peter F. Ellis, 88, of 214 Winter St., died at his home on Monday, Dec. 21, 2009.

Mr. Ellis was born April 27, 1921 in New York City, the son of the late Thomas and Margaret (McGuire) Ellis.

Mr. Ellis obtained postgraduate degrees in Sacred Scripture while studying in Rome, Paris and Jerusalem. He taught Sacred Scripture for 17 years in Esopus, N.Y., and 20 years in the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y. He was a member of several biblical societies.

Mr. Ellis' publications include nine books, numerous articles and book reviews as well as several contributions to scriptural reference books. He had lectured in Hawaii, Panama, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Ireland, Belgium, Germany and across the U.S. and Canada.

Mr. Ellis lived in New York for many years. Upon his retirement in 1988, he and wife and two children moved to Laconia, his wife's hometown, where they were parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish.

Mr. Ellis is survived by his wife, Judith Ann (Monahan) Ellis, of Laconia; two sons, Eric Ellis of Manchester, and Marc Ellis of Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; a sister, Joan Ozbirn, of Cody, Wyo.; and many nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Ellis was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters.

A calling hour will be held on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, from 10-11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave., Laconia, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Spring burial will be in the family lot in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sacred Heart Church Youth Fund, c/o Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave., Laconia NH 03246.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is in charge of the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.