Obituary of David G. Ellison

GOUVERNEUR – David G. Ellison, age 78, of Gouverneur, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2015 at the Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown. Arrangements with French Funeral Home, Gouverneur are private. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. David was born on September 21, 1936 in Gouverneur to the late William and Ruth (White) Ellison. He graduated from the Gouverneur High School and attended the Wanakena Ranger School until taking a job with the U.S. Post Office. Mr. Ellison worked at the Gouverneur Post Office for 32 years, retiring October 2, 1992. Immediately upon "retiring" he started working maintenance part time for the Riverside Iron Works in Gouverneur where he worked for 19 ½ years before his retirement in June of 2012. David served in the United States Army from 1957 until his honorable discharge in 1960. He was stationed in France and received the Good Conduct Medal. He married Loretta M. Shorf on September 29, 1963 in the Gouverneur Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Stanley Brown. David was an active member of the Gouverneur Rescue Squad for 8 ½ years, maintained the Little Bow Cemetery for 10 years and was a former member of the Kiwanis. His favorite hobby was riding motorcycles which he did for 33 years from 1978-2011. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and working on outside chores. He is survived by his wife, Loretta; three daughters and their husbands, Diane and Mitchell Carr, Donna Potts and Ray Wertz, Denise and Robert Horton; a son, David Ellison; and two sisters, Mildred and Chuck Jeffers and Isabel "Issy" Murphy. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Barb and Rosemary Ellison; 9 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. David is predeceased by his parents; brothers, Robert "Bob" and William "Bill" Ellison; and a sister, Marybell Lewis. Donations in memory of David may be made to the Gouverneur Volunteer Rescue Squad, PO Box 164, Gouverneur NY 13642.