James M. Ellis, 97, of West Hartford, died Saturday, May 27, 2017. Born on Sept. 11, 1919 in Nairn, Scotland, he was the son of the late Alfred Grieves and Ann Finlayson Ellis. His early years were spent in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada. A 1937 graduate of Cambridge High School, he received an A.B. from Hobart College and an Ed.M. from Boston University. Studies were also taken at Cite' Universite', Paris, University of Michigan and the University of Connecticut.
A veteran of World War II, he participated in the Normandy Invasion and received five combat stars for the European Theater of Operations under General Patton's Third U.S. Army. He participated in the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp. His teaching career began at St. Andrew's School, RI, where he was inducted in the School Hall of Fame. He taught at Talcott Junior High School in West Hartford, and became the first Principal of King Philip Jr. Middle School. He remained there until his retirement in 1979, and acknowledged for his service. He served as a Director, and as president of the West Hartford Alumni Baseball League, which currently bears his name. He was associated with the American Legion Baseball Program and the "Player of the Year" Award is named in his honor. The James M. Ellis Award at Hall High School is presented in his name, to "Dedicated Athletes". In 1991, he received the Noah Webster Award from the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. He was also a former member of the Board of Managers of the West Hartford YMCA, and served as an Early Chairman of the Teachers and Administrators Salary Committee. Later, he helped develop provisions for professional rights and responsibilities, and early retirement for teachers. He was a parishioner of St. James Church, West Hartford, a member of Phi Delta Kappa (National Educational Fraternity), the West Hartford Retired Teachers Association, and National Education Association. He was also a member of Hayes Velhage, Post 96, American Legion, the Noah Webster Foundation and The Foundation for West Hartford Schools. Mr. Ellis was predeceased by a brother, Alfred R. F. Ellis and a sister-in-law, Mada N. Ellis; a brother, George Ellis and a sister-in-law, Norma Ellis and a sister, Elizabeth M. Howse. He is survived by a sister, Margaret M. Stewart of Hollis, NH; a brother, Charles Ellis of Naples, Fl; many nieces and nephews. A Graveside Service will be held at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford at 11:00 am on Friday, June 9. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hall high School or Conard High School "Safe Graduation Programs". Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.

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