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Obituaries |
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Eagle Harbor |
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Died March 5, 2010 |
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Thomas Gordon Ellis
Thomas Gordon (“Tom”) Ellis, 78, of Eagle Harbor died Friday, March 5, 2010. He was born in Ishpeming on September 5, 1931, the seventh child of Thomas and Annie Ellis. He grew up in Negaunee and graduated from Negaunee High School in 1949. He served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954 and then attended Michigan Technological University. He married Marcia Gries in 1955. They had three children, Timothy Walter, Thomas Gries, and Amy Anne.
Tom earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Tech in 1957 and then moved to Ames, Iowa where he earned a PhD in 1962 from Iowa State University.
After a year of post-doctoral studies, Tom was recruited by Michigan Tech for the new Nuclear Engineering Department. Sadly, Marcia died in 1965.
Tom married Jean Medlyn in the summer in 1968; the couple had two children, David William and Keri Lynn. Tom continued his career at Michigan Tech and served in various roles. In Continuing Education, he had responsibility for Civil Defense contracts in Michigan during the 60s. He also worked with summer programs, developing a concept called A Look at Science that later became the Summer Youth Program. The late 1980s to 1990s saw him as Assistant Dean of Engineering. He helped establish liaisons with community colleges, leading to students completing their baccalaureates at Tech. Two years before retiring in 1998, he returned to teaching in Chemical Engineering.
Community involvement led to serving on the Governor’s Commission on Mental Health; UP health initiatives; Eagle Harbor Township Board. He coached David’s hockey teams for four years; was a charter member of Keweenaw Kernewek, (Cornish heritage); volunteered at Keweenaw Heritage Center and the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse. This proud Cornishman’s death coincided with the day of St Piran, patron of Cornish tin miners.
Tom was an avid outdoorsman and spent many hours sailing, fishing, and waterskiing on Lake Superior; gardening at the family’s homes in Calumet and Eagle Harbor; and motorcycling and snowmobiling in the woods of the Keweenaw. An engineer through and through, he always found time to work on engines or home projects, usually while listening to his beloved classical music.
Tom was predeceased by his parents, sisters Rose, Elaine, Ivy and June and brother Gordon. He is survived by his wife, Jean; five children Timothy (Paula) of Dallas, TX, Thomas, of Eagle Harbor, Amy (Mike) Mantei of Lebanon, OH, David (Dawn) of East Lansing, MI, Keri of Chicago, IL; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) Jervis, Alayna (Ryan) Couch; Mia and Elyse Mantei, and Madeline Ellis; one great-grandchild, Izabella Couch; sister Vera Stanaway, Negaunee and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests memorials to the Keweenaw Heritage Center, c/o Calumet Township, 25880 Red Jacket Road, Calumet, MI 49913.
All who knew Tom are invited to a remembrance and celebration of his long and rich life at the Keweenaw Heritage Center, at the corner of 5th and Scott Streets, in Calumet, beginning at 3 pm on Sunday, May 30, 2010.
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Visitation |
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Date: |
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Location: |
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May 30, 2010 |
3:00 PM |
Keweenaw Heritage Center, at the corner of 5th and Scott Streets, in Calumet |
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Online Condolences |
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From: |
Jim Jewell |
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Mineral Point WI |
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Very sorry for your loss. I will always remember Tom's smile and friendly manner. Jean, you and your family have been in our thoughts, Jim & Sarah Jewell. |
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From: |
Dick and Mary Tuisku |
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Hancock, MI |
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Our deepest sympathy to Jean and the entire family. Tom was truly a wonderful person. We have only fond memories of him. His kindess, compassion and respect for all will never be forgotten. May God grant you the strength to endure the loss of a man who was loved by all. |
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From: |
Janice Crouson Gustafson |
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Trimble, Tennessee |
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Mrs. Ellis -
I first knew you as Ms. Medlyn, an English teacher at Garden City West High School (Class of 1967) then met Mr. Ellis at MTU when I took a job there after my husband and I moved to Gay in 1979.
Mr. Ellis' son, Tim, and my husband, Chuck, began good friends when Chuck worked for Granter's and Tim had the sub shop in Calument. Jennifer and Alayna were just little girls then. I am so sorry for your loss - I know that pain. Chuck died in 2004 and I left the Copper Country and returned to my birthplace in TN. May your family find peace and contentment in the wonderful life you had together. I will always remember Mr. Ellis fondly.
Janice Crouson Gustafson
+++++++++++++++++ |
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From: |
Don Savera |
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Houghton |
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Tom was always very gracious and generous with his time during the times that I best knew him, back in the 70's when I first lived and worked in Houghton/Hancock and worked with Tom and Jim Boggio on community projects. Then, upon my return to the Copper Country in 2000, Tom was always someone I enjoyed talking to and was impressed with his knowledge and commitment to the preservation of Keweenaw history and culture. He will surely be missed. He was a prince of a guy and I will always remember him. Thoughts and prayers are with the family. |
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From: |
Susan Suhonen Riedel |
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Chelsea, Michigan and Eagle River |
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Jean,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May God Bless and keep you.
Sue Riedel
A gal from the Eagle Harbor Womens Breakfast. |
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From: |
robert b. neale |
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charlevoix, mi. |
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A brief note,Jean, to extend my most sincere
condolences to you and your family. I wish you
peace and strength.
Bob Neale. |
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From: |
Art and Karen (Kraft) Buck |
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Fairfax, VA |
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Dear Jean & Family,
You have our deepest sympathy at this difficult time. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We hope that your happy memories of times together will give you comfort and peace. Your work together leaves quite a legacy in the history of the community.
Sincerely,
Art & Karen |
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From: |
Carla & Bob Rowe |
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Calumet MI |
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Dear Jean & Family. We were sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you.
Carla & Bob Rowe |
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From: |
Clarence and Yvonne Fisher |
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Hancock, Eagle Harbor and Phoenix,AZ |
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Jean and family,
We both want to express our deepest sympathy to you on the passing of Tom. We were so surprised to read it online here in Phoenix. You are in our thoughts and prayers. You will all have some pleasant memories to help you during this sad time.
Yvonne and ChiChi |
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From: |
Faye Crain (Lobb |
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midland mich |
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Send my sympathy to you and your family Faye |
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From: |
Don and Bette Heikkila |
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Winter - AZ |
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Jean and Family
Bette and I extend our condolences to you and your children in the passing of Tom. The last year or so has been trying for you and the family, I’m sure. Tom’s accomplishments and memories will be with all of you as well as many of us who had worked with Tom in his varied capacities. I had the honor of working with Tom in the formative years for vocational education in the Copper Country through his involvement with linking the area schools and the University. He was the individual, as I recall, that was instrumental in bringing the Industrial Learning Center to the old Naval Reserve facility in Hancock. This program became a catalyst for cooperative Vocational Training programs between Tech and the area High Schools and our students. His accomplishments touched and positively affected many lives.
Our thoughts and best wishes are extended to all.
Don and Bette Heikkila
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From: |
Barb Boorman Williams |
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Fallon, NV |
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Jean,
It seems that just yesterday we would be BBQ'ing in the yard at the cottage and Tom would be walking by. He would stop and visit. He and dad would take samples of whatever was on the grill and enjoy each other's company.
I'm imagining that he and dad are at a grill, as I write this, talking about the "scoop the Harbor always seems to offer".
Another wonderful generation is fading away. He was a wonderful man, Jean. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Barb |
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