NORWAY – Ellis Clinton Ellingwood, 96, of West Paris, passed away Sunday, Aug. 7, at Stephens Memorial Hospital, with his family at his side.

He was born June 21, 1909, in West Paris, the third son of I. Harris and Ethel (Townsend) Ellingwood. He graduated from West Paris High School in 1927.

On Sept. 14, 1941, he married Avis Salls of Locke Mills, in West Paris.

He was a welder, building ships for his country during World War II and an electrician for the Central Maine Power Co., before becoming self-employed as an electrician. He later joined his brother, Rupert, in the partnership of the blacksmith shop. He completed his career as an electrical contractor.

He lived nearly all of his life in West Paris, except during the war, and at Five Island, West Scarborough and since 2000, in South Paris. He was a very active member of the West Paris community.

He served on the school board and was instrumental in the building of the West Paris gymnasium. He was chairman of the Alumni Association Social Committee during most of the fund-raising time for the gym. He served as selectman and a member of the Budget Committee for West Paris, serving as chairman for several years.

He was instrumental in the development of the town water system, a commissioner for many years and president for several years. During those years, he gave his time and service to planting trees by the pump house and reservoir which he cared for for many years. He was involved in getting the Snow Falls picnic area created.

He served as clerk, vice president and president of the Oxford Tel & Tel. He had been a dedicated firefighter for the West Paris Fire Department for many years, including assistant chief and retired as chief in his early 80s. Besides fighting the fires, he shoveled out many fire hydrants through the winter months and tendered the grounds at the fire station.

He was a charter member of the West Paris Historical Society and the Senior Citizens of West Paris. He was president of the Western Maine Fireman’s Association, a member of the corporate board at Stephens Memorial Hospital and the South Paris Savings Bank, and was a member of the RSES.

He had been an active member and past patron of the O.E.S Chapter 115, and was an active member and past worshipful master of the Granite Lodge 182 AF & AM of West Paris.

He has volunteered his services to various local churches and organizations, and he was recipient of the Community Service Award by the West Paris Grange.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Avis, of South Paris; three children, Judith Ellingwood of Modesto, Calif., Jerry Ellingwood and his wife, Linda, of Norway, and Bonita S. Atkinson and her husband, Al, of South Paris; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Hazel Spiller; brothers, Rupert and Morris; and grandson, Jeremy Ellingwood.

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