Phillip D. Ells Jr.
1966-2016
It is with great sadness we announce that Phillip D. Ells Jr. (age 50) passed away unexpectedly at The Grand Manan Hospital on Sunday, September 4th, 2016. Born in Moncton, NB, Phillip lived in many different places including Nova Scotia and Manitoba, but his heart was always on Grand Manan Island, where he came to visit his grandparents as a child. Phil moved to Grand Manan with his parents in 1982, when his parents established Ells Funeral Home. Phil graduated from Grand Manan High School in 1984. He then travelled to Saint John, NB to apprentice as a Funeral Director and Embalmer, becoming licensed in December 1987. While in Saint John, Phil met his future wife, Laurida.
He returned to Grand Manan in 1988 to work in the family businesses, the Barn Workshop, and Ells Funeral Home. Along with being a Funeral Director and Island appliance repairman, Phil held many different jobs both on the Island and on the mainland. He joined the Grand Manan Harbour Authority as the Harbour Manager in 2007 and much of the time could be found in Ingalls Head at the Fundy Marine Service Centre working as part-time lift operator. He was also the Executive Director of New Brunswick Funeral Directors & Embalmers Association, Secretary Treasurer of Atlantic Provinces Funeral Director & Service Convention and recently he was appointed as a Board of Director at Large of Funeral Service Association of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. His most recent accomplishment was obtaining his life license and working closely with the Financial Solutions team and Sun Life Canada.
Phil was an active member of his community, in the early years being a Scout Leader. He served two terms as a Village Councillor, acting as liaison between council and the Grand Manan Fire Department where he developed life-long friendships. He was a lay reader at the Anglican Parish of Grand Manan. He was an active member of Mananook Lodge F&AM #38, serving as Master of the Lodge on his second term.
The light of Phil’s life was his family, which extended far beyond blood relations. He looked after everyone he met in one way or another with his generosity and kind heart. Once in a while, Phil would use his toolbox or his snow plow to help serve his neighbours. He was often known by people in the community as Uncle Phil.
Phillip will be sadly missed by his best friend & wife, Laurida (Allain) Ells. As well, his daughters Zoe Ells (Matthew), and Gina Ells (Kristopher); his father and mother, Phil Ells Sr. and Doris (Wooster) Ells; his sister Melanie Sonnenberg, niece Nicki Sonnenberg, nephew’s Paul (Nathalie) Sonnenberg and Peter (Tanya) Sonnenberg.
He will also be missed by his extended family; sisters-in-law, Cecile (John) Meade, Aurèna (Bernie) Murry, Leantine (Michel) Legault, Geraldine Allain, Denise (Maurice) Robichaud, Monique (Yvon) Martin, Jacinthe (Roger) Savoie; brothers-in-law, Albert (Lucy) Allain, Ronald (Carmen) Allain, and Clarence (Susanna) Allain, many nieces and nephews, as well as many close friends.
Phil was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Klaus Sonnenberg (2014).
Visiting will take place at St Paul’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, September 6 from 6-9, Wednesday, September 7th , from 2-4 and 6-8pm. Funeral Service will be held from the Immanuel Family Church on Thursday September 8th, 2016 at 1:00pm, with Bishop David Edwards officiating, assisted by Archdeacon Arthur Gregg and Archdeacon John Matheson. Interment to follow in the family plot at Maple Grove Cemetery. The family request donations to be made to the St Paul’s Anglican Church, Grand Manan or Grand Manan Hospital Foundation, or to the donor’s choice. Arrangements are in the care of Ells Funeral Home Inc., 1199 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 1G2. Condolences, messages of sympathy also may be sent to www.ells.ca or 506-662-3116.