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Ira Thomas Ellis Jr. will forever be remembered fondly by all those who knew him, or spent any time with him, and he will be sadly missed. Ira departed this world on July 18th, 2021 at the age of 87 years young. He leaves behind his sister Madge M. Ellis of Wilmington, Delaware, extended family, and many friends who were like family from every facet of his incredible life.
Ira was born in April of 1934 to Ira Thomas Ellis Sr. and Marjorie Macadams Ellis, who preceded him in death. He attended Wilmington Friends School in Wilmington, DE, graduating in 1952. In 1956, he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University. While there, he was inducted as a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and also completed 2 years of Army Reserve training. In 1964, he got his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University.
On July 30th, 1956, Ira began his lifelong career at IBM, where he was an IBM “research staff” member, highly valued as a programmer, and held the position of Senior Telcom Engineer. He worked at IBM for 60+ years, doing consulting for them even after retirement.
Following a scouting trip to the Green Mountains of Vermont, he joined others in forming the Snowald Corporation in 1957. Snowald was created to purchase land (to hold, develop, and maintain) for education, conservation, recreation and to promote outdoor sports, camping, and scout activities. After extensive consideration, they purchased property near Stratton, VT. Ira managed the booking and use of the “cabin” on the property.
Ira loved learning. He traveled extensively, including taking yearly cruises with his sister all over the world. They were often considered “the life of the party.” He never forgot his scouting “Do a good turn daily.” He shared his love of learning by tutoring and encouraging others to pursue higher education, and set up scholarships at Bucknell University. Ira felt that children were extremely important. He showed it through his guidance, enabling them to experience the world and outdoors, with a view to provide a stable, growing character.
Ira became an uncle and mentor to many families. He was active in church and in the community; and involved himself in everything his adopted families did. He supported local music performances and took part in Christmas Pageants (as a narrator), as well as attended numerous school concerts, graduations, birthday parties, and other family gatherings. He was an assistant coach of Cortlandt Youth Soccer for 36 seasons. He supported a number of nature and educational charities and social groups, and was active in everything he put his interest toward. Ira loved and was loved.
Ira Thomas Ellis Jr. will forever be remembered fondly by all those who knew him, or spent any time with him, and he will be sadly missed. Ira departed this world on July 18th, 2021 at the age of 87 years young. He leaves behind his sister Madge M. Ellis of Wilmington, Delaware, extended family, and many friends who were like family from every facet of his incredible life.
Ira was born in April of 1934 to Ira Thomas Ellis Sr. and Marjorie Macadams Ellis, who preceded him in death. He attended Wilmington Friends School in Wilmington, DE, graduating in 1952. In 1956, he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University. While there, he was inducted as a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and also completed 2 years of Army Reserve training. In 1964, he got his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University.
On July 30th, 1956, Ira began his lifelong career at IBM, where he was an IBM “research staff” member, highly valued as a programmer, and held the position of Senior Telcom Engineer. He worked at IBM for 60+ years, doing consulting for them even after retirement.
Following a scouting trip to the Green Mountains of Vermont, he joined others in forming the Snowald Corporation in 1957. Snowald was created to purchase land (to hold, develop, and maintain) for education, conservation, recreation and to promote outdoor sports, camping, and scout activities. After extensive consideration, they purchased property near Stratton, VT. Ira managed the booking and use of the “cabin” on the property.
Ira loved learning. He traveled extensively, including taking yearly cruises with his sister all over the world. They were often considered “the life of the party.” He never forgot his scouting “Do a good turn daily.” He shared his love of learning by tutoring and encouraging others to pursue higher education, and set up scholarships at Bucknell University. Ira felt that children were extremely important. He showed it through his guidance, enabling them to experience the world and outdoors, with a view to provide a stable, growing character.
Ira became an uncle and mentor to many families. He was active in church and in the community; and involved himself in everything his adopted families did. He supported local music performances and took part in Christmas Pageants (as a narrator), as well as attended numerous school concerts, graduations, birthday parties, and other family gatherings. He was an assistant coach of Cortlandt Youth Soccer for 36 seasons. He supported a number of nature and educational charities and social groups, and was active in everything he put his interest toward. Ira loved and was loved.
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