Grand Harbour on Grand Manan is the site of Ells Funeral Home, a small island family business conceived in April of 1981 by Phillip and Doris (Wooster) Ells.

This was a first for the island, a licensed funeral director/embalmer and a small funeral home to serve a population of roughly three thousand people.

Phil Ells had about twenty-seven years experience in funeral service, working for several funeral homes since 1958.  He also had twelve years in sales management working for two national firms prior to moving to Grand Manan.

After moving to Grand Manan with wife Doris (a former islander), the couple purchased Doris' great grandparents' property located in the center of the island in the village of Grand Harbour.  "The Barn" was converted into three apartments and the first floor was made into a funeral parlor.

Soon after the business started, Phil's daughter, Melanie, already married to Klaus Sonnenberg and living on the island at Deep Cove, took her apprenticeship with her father.  She successfully passed her provincial embalmer exams in November, 1985 and later became a licensed funeral director.

In the meantime, Phillip's son, Phillip Jr., a graduate of Grand Manan High School, apprenticed with Castle Funeral Homes of Saint John, successfully completed his course of studies in December, 1987 and joined the family business the following year.  He manages the family retail business as well as works in the funeral home with his father and sister.  Phil's wife Laurida also works in the funeral home.

The families are community minded, devoting considerable time and effort to many volunteer projects.