Thorpe W. Ellis, Sr., 86

September 15, 2018

Thorpe W. Ellis, Sr., 86, of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the Mennonite Home after a brief but painful illness of cancer. Born in Pottstown, PA, Thorpe was the son of the late Emily Josephine (Metzler) and Lester Charles Ellis.
Thorpe graduated from North Coventry High School in 1950 and later graduated from Temple School of Pharmacy in 1954. He and his first wife, Elsie Finkbiner Ellis had 2 children and adopted a daughter. Thorpe worked for Sunset Pharmacy for 15 years; he then purchased Thorpe’s Pharmacy in Downingtown, PA. He briefly sold life insurance and soon went back to his profession working in Lancaster, PA for People’s Drug Store which later became CVS.

Thorpe and Elsie divorced and he then married Joanne Gross Ellis. They celebrated 44 years of marriage in August. Thorpe and Joanne moved to Ocean View, DE in 1994. He loved fishing and enjoyed that hobby almost daily for the 20 ½ years they lived there.
In addition to his wife, Thorpe is survived by his 3 children: Jo Ann Brandt (John), Thorpe Ellis, Jr. (Suzanne) and Julie Kamenakis (Peter); his stepchildren: Charles Gross, Jr. (Lisa), J. Timothy Gross, Kenneth Gross (Cindy) and Garry Gross (Bonnie) and his brother Todd K. Ellis (Betty) as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sister, Fay Ruzek.

Thorpe loved to tell others he and Joanne had 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Thorpe and Joanne are members of Mariners Bethel UM Church in Ocean View, DE as well as active members of First Mobile Church which is a phone ministry product of West Grove Presbyterian church in West Grove, PA. Charles Gross, Jr., is the Pastor.
Everyone who met Thorpe enjoyed his humor, his pleasant ways and his eagerness to please and help others. He will be greatly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Home, Benevolent Fund, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at the Eagle Commons at Woodcrest Villa, 2001 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. Family & Friends will be received from 10AM -11AM. Thorpe will be laid to rest at Conestoga Memorial Park.