Obituary of William J. Ellithorpe

"Palmer-William J. Ellithorpe, Sr., 95 of Thorndike, passed away peacefully December 2, 2007 at Life Care Center of Wilbraham. Born June 15, 1912, he was the son of the late Clifford L. and Marguerite (Washburn) Ellithorpe. William was proud that Ellithorpe ancestors immigrated to Rowley, MA from Yorkshire, England in 1638 and were documented in history as one of the country’s founding families. William (Aka: Jim / Bill Sr.) lived in Palmer all of his life. He attended Springfield Trade School and was a licensed carpenter, retiring from Local #108. William was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed beagling, hunting and fishing throughout New England. He was the last founding member of the Palmer Beagle Club in Holland and served many years as President of the late Thorndike Fish & Game Club. Into his mid-80’s he enjoyed annual fishing trips to Lake Ontario for salmon and fly-fishing in the White River of Vermont with family and friends. Over time he patiently taught fly-fishing and tying to each family generation. For 25 years, he and his wife Madlyn spent winter months at Jensen Beach, Florida where they were very active members of the Ocean Breeze Park retirement community and competed professionally in shuffleboard. Family and friends have fond memories of his love for life, patience, and never ending cheer for harness horse racing and the Red Sox. William was predeceased by Madlyn (Kmon), his wife of 70 years, in September 2006; and eight siblings. He will be greatly missed by his daughter Christine and her husband Wayne Smith of Palmer, his son William Jr. and his wife Beverly of Newbury, VT.; his grandchildren, Terry Smith and his wife Ivy of Ware, Larry Reed of Orwell, VT and Glenn Reed of Eureka, CA; three great grandchildren, Evan Smith, Brianna Reed and Devyn Reed; and many nieces and nephews. William’s family extends sincere gratitude to the Somerville, Peritz, and McCrystal families and health caregiver Debbie Harnois for their many years of kindness to William and Madlyn. Visitation and a pictorial tribute will be held at Beers & Story Funeral Home, 1475 N. Main St. in Palmer on Saturday from 8:30-9:30 a.m., prior to a memorial service held at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. Thomas Cemetery, immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in William’s memory to the Greater Springfield Senior Services, 66 Industry Avenue, Springfield, MA 01104. "