Charles "Charlie" William Ellis passed peacefully on Thursday, October 17 at Victoria County Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born on January 23, 1935, in Ottawa Brook, he was the son of the late John W. Ellis and Mary Flora (Northen) Ellis. Along with his Scottish roots, he was also a British Home Child Descendant and had Italian ancestry. 

Charlie was a fisherman, and loyal and dedicated employee of Victoria Gypsum and CGC Little Narrows Gypsum Company for 44 years. He enjoyed his working career as a heavy equipment operator and service technician. He made many great friends through work, and delighted in the laughter and camaraderie. After retiring in 1997, he continued to work in the woods and lobster fish alongside his son and other family members.

Fondly known as Grampy and Poppy, he was beloved by his seven grandchildren. Over the years, he became the go-to babysitter in the family. He shared his love in many ways through his joy for Cape Breton fiddle music and country songs, late nights watching the hockey game, rides on the four-wheeler, joking around, summer family vacations, nights at ceilidhs, trips to the rink or soccer field, and of course, the many trips on the fishing boat. His grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life. He was encouraging of everyone and very proud. 

Charlie dedicated his life to his family and taught us the values of kindness, hard work and a good spirit. We are blessed to have grown up with him in our presence and to have had a close community of family at ‘The Corner.’ As a family man, community member and friend, he gave of himself freely to all those around him. He was devoted to his religion, attending mass, and in later years, setting the alarm so he wouldn’t miss Mass for Shut-Ins. Prayer was a part of his daily routine and his faith was evident in the way he led his life.

His legacy will live on in each of us and we will forever carry his spirit in our hearts. He was the backbone of our family and had a wonderful ability to bring joy to every gathering, whether through his storytelling, humour, or warm presence. He taught us to love, to laugh (and to laugh hard), and to cherish family. He was a true gentleman with so much warmth and generosity. We are all so honoured, blessed, and lucky to have had him in our lives. 

He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sandra (MacDonald) Ellis. A marriage based on love, respect, faith, devotion, support and teamwork - they were as one! He was a devoted father to Charlene (Laurie MacDonald), Donna (John) Bonaparte, Gerard (Joyce MacRae), and Lorraine (Neil James) MacNeil. He was a father like no other. He was our rock and best friend. He loved us unconditionally and always put us first. Charlie leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Anita (Ben), Evan (Katelyn), Lauren, Alex (Jill), Hannah (Dusty), Sarah, and Katherine. He was also fondly known as Old Poppy to Emma, Cael, Reece and Theo. He leaves behind his brother, Gordie Ellis, sisters, Millie Fraser, Marlene (Willard) Fraser and sisters-in-law, Mora (Dougie) Nicholson, Phyllis MacDonald, and many extended family members. His devotion to family encompassed his immediate family, his extended Ellis/Northen family and the MacDonald/MacNeil family. 

Besides his parents he is predeceased by brothers, Charlie Raymond (in infancy), John Malcolm, and Raymond, sisters, Mary Ann Sarah (in infancy), Elizabeth “Betty” MacKay, and Anne “Nan” MacKinnon, his father and mother-in-law, Alex and Cecilia MacDonald, brothers-in-law, Angus MacKay, Donnie MacDonald, Dan Hughie MacKinnon, Edwin Peterson, Warren MacPhail and Jackie Fraser, sisters-in-law, Jean Ellis, Claire Peterson, Mildred Ellis and Florence (Matthews) Ellis, nephew, Gary Ellis, Donald Gordon Ellis in infancy and niece, Sharon Pearo. 

Visitation will be on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 11am-2pm and the funeral service will follow at 2pm at St. Columba Church, Iona, with Father David Rankin officiating. Family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to Victoria County Memorial Hospital or charity of your choice. A family burial will be held at a later date. A time of fellowship will be held at St. Columba Parish Hall, Iona, following the service.  Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com

The family would like to thank Dr. Chow, Dr. Jamie Tribo, all of the staff of Victoria County Memorial Hospital and the Doctors and staff at Inverness Consolidated Hospital for their care and kindness over the years. A very special thanks to the Victoria County Continuing Care nurses for their kindness, compassion and friendship. He looked forward, as did we, to your visits. You offered him care but it was your visits, laughter and friendship that made you all so special. You each had a special place in his heart!

“Our dad was our best friend and greatest role model.”