MEXICO – John Ellis, 74, of Wilton, died early Friday morning at his daughter’s home on Leavitt Street.

He was born in Rumford on July 2, 1931, the eldest of six children born to Cliff and Alberta Hall Ellis. He received his education in local schools and graduated from Leavitt Institute in 1950.

He was a licensed boiler operator at Stowell McGregor and later at Forster Manufacturing Inc. in Wilton.

On July 12, 1984, he married Jane Corrigan. She died Aug. 2, 2004.

He was a sports fan, and he especially enjoyed the Boston Red Sox. He will be remembered as an animal lover, who enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, boating and socializing by traveling the coffee circuit in Wilton.

He is survived by his children, Sue Briggs and her husband, Dwight, of Mexico, Steve Ellis and his wife, Barbara, of Windham, Linda Ellis of Mexico, and Lori Gatlin of North Carolina; three brothers, James of Raymond, N.H., Jerol of Livermore, and Joel of Turner; two sisters, Jean Bachelder of Livermore and Jolene Brooks of Turner; six grandchildren, Troy and Brian Briggs, Jennifer Murray, Michael Ellis, Brendon Ellis and Michelle Gatlin; five great-grandchildren, Gage, Seth, Spencer, Jacob and Cara; and his former wife and mother of his children, Joyce Keyo of Mexico.

He was predeceased by a grandson, Benjamin Ellis.