Joseph John Ellis Jr.

1941 - 2017

Joseph John Ellis, Jr. WEST HURLEY- Joseph John Ellis, Jr., age 75, died Wednesday, April 5,2017, in Kingston, N.Y. He had been a resident of West Hurley for the past 50 years. He was born in Scranton, Pa., on Nov. 6, 1941, to Joseph Ellis, Sr. and Mary Fick Ellis. He graduated from West Scranton High School in 1959. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University, Class of 1963, and a Masters from Penn State University in 1966. In 1967, he began a 27 year career with IBM in Kingston, N.Y. After retiring from IBM, he found his calling with Overlook Home Improvements offering handyman services in the community. A man of few words, he let his actions speak for him. He attended Overlook United Methodist Church for nearly 50 years. There were many things he enjoyed- computers, working around the house and yard, and tinkering under the hood of a car. To those who knew Joe, he was never far from his bike. His love of cycling began in the early 70s, completing his first 100-mile “Century” ride in 1973 and his last in 2013 at age 72. Always a record keeper, he calculated that he had ridden to the moon and partway back. He enjoyed vacationing in Silver Bay, N.Y., and Amelia Island, Fla., and the bike always went with him. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Baker Ellis; his children and their spouses: Christopher Ellis, Karen and David Ingrey and Peter and Tracy Ellis; and his sister, Jayne Finegan. He was adored by his six grandchildren: Emily, Jennifer, Owen, Lindsey, Henry and Kyle. A Celebration of Joe’s Life will be held at Overlook United Methodist Church, 233 Tinker Street, Woodstock, N.Y., 12498, on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Mohnsville Cemetery, Mohnton, PA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcome in Joe’s memory to Electric City Bike Rescue, 141 Johnston Ave., Cohoes, N.Y., 12047. ECBR is a 501(c)(3) designated program focusing on rescuing, repairing, and redistributing abandoned and little-used bicycles to children and adults in need. For his family, Joe was a man of his word, deeply loved and will be forever missed.