Obituary of David Ellis

David Walter Ellis David ("Waldo" "DW") Ellis, husband, father, grandfather, was born March 10, 1931, in Kingston, Ontario. He died Friday November 15, 2013 in London, Ontario of heart failure, at the age of 82. Dave had an inclusive, loving heart and a gift for connecting with all kinds of people. He was as happy talking to a stranger on the street as he was making a boardroom pitch. Everyone was interesting and everyone was worth knowing. His outlook was infused with optimism. Dave grew up in Kingston, Ontario with his older brother John (Dr. John Ellis, deceased) beside Queen's University, where his father Douglas was Dean of Engineering. He was a gifted athlete and excelled as a baseball catcher. He was recruited to play in the Nickel Belt Baseball League in northern Ontario in the summers. Being paid to work token hours in the nickel mines and play baseball in the evenings was a life highlight. Waldo attended Queen's University and graduated in 1954 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He attended the University of Western Ontario Masters of Business Administration program on a scholarship and graduated in 1956. As a Professional Engineer, Waldo pursued a career in engineering and sales in London, Ontario for 50 years. David was a born entrepreneur who was happiest working for himself, and he pursued a number of businesses throughout his career, pushing the boundaries of new products and services in construction and roadbuilding in Ontario. His hallmark in business was personal relationships grounded in honesty. D.W. was a loving husband to Phyllis (Smart) of Shawville, Quebec for 56 years, and was a caring parent to daughter Jennifer (Peter) and son Stewart (Sharon), both of whom continued the family tradition of attending Queen's. D.W. was an engaged grandparent to Jennifer and Peter's sons Philip and Malcolm and he delighted to participate in grandson Philip's Iron Ring ceremony in Kingston in 2012. David's family and many friends will sorely miss his inclusiveness, sense of humour, fighting spirit, and integrity. A gathering of friends will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Berkshire Club, 500 Berkshire Drive.