Joseph B. Ellis

Obituary- Joseph (JB) Ellis Joseph B. Ellis died July 17, 2020. Joseph is survived by sisters Millie, Katy, and Leeny, brothers George (Gayle) and Peter, and sister-in law Jodi (Ed), as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was the son of the late Joseph W. Ellis and Dolores Hinkel Ellis, and was predeceased by his brother Ed. “Mr. Joe” will also be missed by Nathan Custard to whom JB was mentor and “Big Brother” for many years. The second oldest of seven children, his family moved from Albany to Kings Road in Coxsackie when he was six months old. When in the 3rd grade, his parents purchased the home on the church corner on Mansion Street where he was raised. Jay graduated 8th grade in 1964 from Coxsackie-Athens, graduated 12th grade in 1968 from St. Patrick’s HS in Catskill. He attended the Junior College of Albany (now Sage Albany) and graduated in 1970 with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. In 1971, he started working for Atlantic Cement in Ravena as a Junior Clerk and started attending Russell Sage Evening Division. In 1977, he graduated from Sage with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting. Like his father, he also graduated the Dale Carnegie Course in 1978. While working at the Ravena Plant, Joe received several promotions to Acting Chief Accountant and Cost Control Supervisor. After nearly ten years at Ravena, and after a short period outside Atlantic Cement, JB was rehired as Construction Accountant for a new plant being built in Baltimore Md. Sixteen years later, as Plant Accountant, he returned to NY, buying a home in Scheller Park and transferring back to the Ravena plant, then owned by Blue Circle Cement, as Plant and Regional Controller. He left accounting after about five more years in Ravena and took an HR role at the plant as Teams Champion. From there, now under LaFarge Cement, JB worked several years on the road as a trainer and installer of purchasing and accounting software, and several Plant Controller fill in roles, before retiring in Delaware, where he lived for eleven years. In 2012, Joe purchased a home on Van Dyck St. in the village of Coxsackie. Joe was Treasurer, 4th degree, and Past Grand Knight of the Coxsackie Knights of Columbus, having held several offices with councils in NY, MD, and DE. He recently served on the Finance and Cemetery Committees at St. Mary’s Church, and retired from lectoring in 2018. For over four years Joe volunteered with medical transportation for the Greene County Dept. of Human Services, serving over 100 riders. In July of 2015 JB was asked to fill a vacancy as Village Trustee which included liaison for several departments, and was asked to represent the village board on the Greene County Mitigation Committee. Joe brought needed financial experience, worked hard on raising income, and later found fair water and sewer rates. JB’s other activities included putting his family first, golfing as a member of the Ravena Seniors League, travel, and walking throughout the village. He was a member of the Coxsackie Seniors, and past interests in Coxsackie included bowling, Coxsackie Little League BB, and American Legion Post # 166 BB. He helped build softball fields in Coxsackie and Athens and was a long time coach of various softball leagues. He was most proud to have managed in 1962 the first team from Coxsackie Little League to ever win not only our district, but the second level past out district. His team lost to the eventual state champion, and the opponent coach said we were one of the toughest they faced. In 2017, “Uncle Joe” chaired a very successful, 1st ever, Hoot of the Owl Committee, where a great team raised $24 K for local charities. He stepped down as chair after the first year, but continued to assist with events in the following years. JB was also active in the ongoing restoration of the cemetery on Mansion Street. Understanding that many people would want to pay their respects to Joe, his family regrettably had to keep his funeral Mass and burial private due to the ongoing threat of COVID 19. If desired, contributions may be made in Joe’s name to St Mary’s (Coxsackie) Memorial Society or the Village of Coxsackie “Adopt a Grave” Fund.

Joseph B. Ellis

June 16, 1950 - July 17, 2020