John 'Michael' Ellis

Died in his 85th year at Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg on October 19th after a lengthy illness.  Although his business career involved advertising and publishing, including positions with Southam Newspapers, Readers’ Digest and Telemedia Publishing where he retired as VP Advertising Sales, his real love was music.  Born in Westcliffe-on-Sea, Essex, England, he attended All Saints Margaret Street Choir School in London and graduated from Hurstpierpoint College and Sussex University, Brighton, Sussex.  He was commissioned in the British Army and served as Lieutenant with the South Lancashire Regiment in Sudan, Egypt and Cyprus.  He moved from Toronto to Cobourg with his second wife, Suzanne Grew Ellis, in 1988. In 1991, he brought together MusicMakers, a chamber choir which raised over $164,000.00 for local charities performing 75 concerts and six full musical productions in Victoria Hall Cobourg, ending in 2008 when the group retired.  He was predeceased by his first wife, Jeanette, mother of his children.  He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, his daughter, Elizabeth McClean and sons, Timothy (Cindy) and Anthony (Sheila), grandchildren, Spencer, Fraser, Hanna, Tamara, Zack, Durham, Lauren and Reilly.  A memorial service of music will be held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Cobourg, at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 28.  Instead of flowers, donations may be sent to Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation in Cobourg.  Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com.