Daniel Brian Ellis, 52 of Orlando was called home to God Thursday, June 28, 2012 after a three year courageous battle against ALS. His wife, best friend and family were by his side. Dan was born June 24, 1960 in Miami Shores, FL to Laura and Peyton Ellis. As a young child he moved with his family to Central Florida where he graduated from Mt. Dora High School. Dan was a successful business owner of C & S Press, Inc., Orlando. He had a zestful taste of life and an adventurous spirit that couldn’t be broken. Dan loved traveling, boating and the island life. He had visited Virgin, British, Caribbean and West Indies islands. He enjoyed playing tennis and had found his artistic abilities since being diagnosed with ALS. Dan will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and friend. He is survived by his loving wife , Maria; children, Alec and Gina Ellis and Jared Wise; mother, Laura and her husband, Jeff Jeffers; father, Peyton and his wife, Jeanne Ellis; two sisters, Lynn Naretti and Jodi John Pippin; two brothers, Scott and Gary Ellis and numerous nieces and nephews. A gathering of family and friends will be held 5-7:00PM, Thursday, July 5, 2012 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park with reflections from friends and final prayers at 6:30PM. The family requests Classy Island attire to be worn in honor of Dan’s love of the islands or blue for his favorite color. A memorial mass will be celebrated by The Reverend Richard Walsh at St Margaret Mary Church at 10:00AM, Friday, July 6, 2012. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to www.alsafl.org Florida Chapter.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to www.alsafl.org Florida Chapter.
A gathering of family and friends will be held 5-7:00PM, Thursday, July 5, 2012 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park with reflections from friends and final prayers at 6:30PM. The family requests Classy Island attire to be worn in honor of Dan’s love of the islands or blue for his favorite color. A memorial mass will be celebrated by The Reverend Richard Walsh at St Margaret Mary Church at 10:00AM, Friday, July 6, 2012.
I suppose the volume of a book could not contain the sum of all the fond memories I have of the times we shared as boys and then later as young men and beyond. We were as close as brothers and my folks even counted you like a second son during those years.
As the years went by and we started our careers and families on different sides of the country I am so thankful we stayed in touch and were able to share our stories with each other. Was it just a few years ago you joked we had to be the only people we knew that still wrote letters with pen and paper despite the world we lived in. Im so glad I have that stack of letters written from the same yellow legal paper pad each time that you wrote. You were so proud of your children and loved Maria so completely they were certainly the center of your life and you were so thankful and happy to have them.
I was proud of your success in business but never surprised by it. You were always a leader, never a follower.
I am so heartbroken over the way this terrible disease took your life but I know this life compared to the eternity to come is like a single grain of sand in the midst of innumerable sandy beaches on countless shores across the ages so when Jesus says I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live .and if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also, this gives me full assurance we will meet again as you have just gone on before us.
Until then, you shall remain my true and loyal friend.
I admire your courage and the excellent care that you took of your beloved husband. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and hearts during this difficult time. I just read your posting on here about your wonderful life with your Dan -- and it is so encouraging to know that you two will be together again to enjoy all of your fun and happy times. He will be well taken care of until you meet again.
Howard & Jeanie
our wedding