John R. “Jack” Ellis, 84, a 48-year resident of Winchester, passed away Oct. 27 at the Aberjona Nursing Center in Winchester. He was the beloved husband for 56 years of Jeanne (Reddy) Ellis. Born in Brookline, he was the son of the late Herbert and Charlotte (Fischer) Ellis. Jack was raised and educated in Brookline, graduating from Brookline High with the Class of 1943. At Brookline High, where he graduated in the top academic 5 in his class, he was also awarded varsity sport letters in track and field and was co-captain of the Cross Country Track Team. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Army A.S.T.P. Program and was then assigned to the 100th Infantry Division. He landed in Marseille, France in Sept. 1944 and fought all the way across France to the Sigfried Line. At the Battle of the Bulge in Dec. 1994, he was wounded in action and while hospitalized he was awarded the Purple Heart. After recuperating in England, he was sent home honorably discharged. In 1945, Jack enrolled in Boston College and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949. At BC, he was vice president of the Spanish club and tutored Spanish throughout his BC career. Upon graduation, he joined SS Pierce Co. of Boston, serving in various management capacities. He was marketing manager of the Wine and Spirits Division and later General Manager of the Wholesale Grocery Division, where he led their pacesetting United Fund Drive. Mr. Ellis later joined Servomation of New England, serving as Customer Service Manager.
Jack was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish Family in Winchester. He served as President of the Holy Name Society, as a lector, an extra-ordinary minister and a Parish Council Member. He also taught for 30 years at the Confirmation level to young adults of the parish. For several years he led groups of men from St. Mary’s on weekend retreats at St. Gabriel’s Monastery in Brighton. Jack was a Little League coach and Boy Scout Troop treasurer for many years with his children in Winchester. He is also a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
His hobbies included Duplicate Bridge, where he won several hundred Master Points. Jack also assisted with tax returns at the Jenks Senior Center in Winchester for many years. He also enjoyed and participated in the lives of his 10 grandchildren. With his wife and family, he maintained a winter residence in Stuart, Florida for 20 years where there were many friends.
He was the loving father of Richard E. and his wife Susan of Franklin, TN, Kurt and his wife Evangelina of Winchester, Jonathan of Marlboro, Kimberly Magdalenski and her husband David of E. Sandwich, and Lindsey Majeskey and her husband Daniel of Winchester. Jack was also the dear brother of Vincent of Framingham, Charlotte Brady of Milford, Nancy Martin of CT, Margaret Ellis of Hopedale and the late Staff Sgt. Herbert Ellis, Jr. He is further survived by ten grandchildren: Jeremy, Emily, Zachary & Savannah Ellis and Ashley Elorza and her husband Gonzalo of Franklin, TN; Alexa Magdalenski of E. Sandwich, Cameron Majesky, Ryan, Kristina & Alana Ellis, all of Winchester. His funeral will be held from the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St. Winchester, on Fri., Oct. 30 at 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, Winchester at 10AM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Visiting Hours are Thurs. 5-8PM. Interment will take place in the V.A. National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers donations in Jack’s name may be made to the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers, P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545.