DON ALAN ELLIS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DON ALAN ELLIS Don Alan Ellis, retired Professor of Architecture, died peacefully at his home on November 27, 2002. He was 70. He is survived by his loving companion Margaret Buchanan, sons Scott (Anna), Brian (Karen) and Matthew (Nancy), daughter Jennifer (Ragnar), ex-wife Patricia Naylor, and grandchildren, Ava, Robin, Miles, Rory, Ian, Lauren, Katie and Julia, and extended family Charlotte Penner (Leon), Gordon (Marcy), Deborah (Mike), Dawn (Gerhard), Davis, Rachel, Sam, Autumn, Aaron, Orion, Andrea and Noble. Don was born in Dayton, OH on February 4, 1932. From his teens to 20s he was a musician, playing reeds in big and small bands around Ohio. Don studied Architecture at the University of Cincinnati and MIT. In 1961, he immigrated to Winnipeg, where he taught at the University of Manitoba for 32 years. On his retirement, the Architecture Students Association endowed a scholarship in his name. He served on numerous arts and community boards and committees, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Manitoba Film Classification Board. Don designed the gate to the International Peace Garden and his creativity can be seen in many buildings in Manitoba and Ohio. Don was a loving father and grandfather, faithful friend, devoted and skillful teacher, ardent practitioner and patron of the arts. He had the rare ability to make whomever he was speaking to feel like the most important person in the room. His generosity, enthusiasm, never-ending curiosity and integrity will be sorely missed. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2 at the Unitarian Church at 603 Wellington Cres. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the David Suzuki Foundation at 2211 West 4th Ave., Suite 219, Vancouver, BC V6K 4S2.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 02, 2002