J. Paul Ellis

Joseph Paul Ellis, 87, of Ellicott City, Maryland, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at home after a lengthy illness surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Anne (nee Garpstas), children: Daniel (Karen, nee Wardle), Kathleen (Brian Biesecker), Paul (Mary, nee Maher), Jeanne (Brian Johnson), and Steven; grandchildren: Matthew Ellis, Emily Johnson, Anne Ellis, Kevin Johnson (Nicole, nee Bull), Claire Biesecker, Meredith Ellis, Emma Ellis, Jacob Ellis,  Thomas Ellis, Luke Biesecker, Heidi Ellis, Megan Biesecker, and Jenna Ellis; one great grandchild: Ellissa Mabel Johnson; and one sister: Mary Frances Lowman. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was the son of the late Lewis Ellis and Frances McGinnity Ellis. 
Paul was a retired High School History/Social Studies Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Basketball Coach and Athletic Director. He received both his B.A. in Political Science and his M.A. in Education from Loyola College (now Loyola University Maryland). Though he was a gifted and devoted teacher, his most enjoyable times were spent coaching high school basketball for nearly 30 years. Paul began both his teaching and coaching career at Archbishop Curley High School (1965-1971). He also briefly coached at St. Mary's Seminary before joining the Howard County School System where he taught and/or coached at Atholton High School, Glenelg High School, Wilde Lake High School, Howard County VoTech, as well as Howard Community College. Paul viewed coaching as another form of teaching and believed in the ability of athletics to transform lives.
Paul was a gifted woodworker and carpenter, leaving many pieces of heirloom furniture behind for his family. He was also an ardent DIY'er, completing many indoor and outdoor projects with his brother-in-law, Chuck Lowman, who lived across the street. Once retired, Paul was able to spend more time on his hobbies which included attending his grandchildren's sporting events, golfing, and traveling. While he and Anne traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada, Europe and England, his most memorable trips were those he spent with Anne in Ireland.
 

Family will receive friends at the Harry H. Witzke's Family Funeral Home, Ellicott City, on Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 2 - 4 & 6 - 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Paul's Church, Ellicott City on Friday, 11am. Interment following at Crestlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Maryland Medical System Foundation. Paul developed a heart condition as a result of a childhood illness and it was U of M technology that allowed him to live to 87.

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