Adam Neil Ellison
June 4th, 2018
Husband, dad, brother, son, friend, teacher, principal, community organizer, politician, little league umpire, competitive bridge player and long time member of the world’s oldest hockey draft. Neil’s life was marked by his caring for others. He enriched the lives of his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Peggy; daughter, Stacy-Ann Pothier (Daniel); son, Lang (Judy); grandsons, Eric Pothier (Laura), and Christian Pothier and his brother, Jud Shearing (Judy). Neil is predeceased by his parents, Earl Ellison and Allyne Lander; brothers, Bond Lander and Bob Ellison; and son Laird Stuart Ellison. A Celebration of Neil’s life will be held at the DayBreak Community Church, 2104 Yankee Valley Blvd., Airdrie, Alberta, on Friday, June 15, 2018 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Neil’s memory to Prostate Cancer Canada, 2 Lombard Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1M1.
Messages:
Nos sympathies de la part de moi et les enfants, à Stacy Daniel Eric Christian et Lang. Nos plus belles pensées vous accompagnes.
I was saddened to hear that my favourite principal had passed. Mr. Ellison was principal at Spruce Cliff Elementary School in the early 60’s. I walked home with him at lunchtime along with 8 other children for almost three years. Each child held one finger. As he was missing one finger only 9 children could be accommodated! I have no recollection of what was discussed on those journeys but he made a wonderful addition of loving and caring adults in my life. I, later in the 1990’s, had the pleasure of reconnecting with him. We had a wonderful chat. Later in the 90’s he taught my 3 children while being a substitute teacher at Meadowbrook Middle School. He will be missed and will forever hold a special place in my heart. Condolences to his family and friends. Sheila Legere, Airdrie.
Lang, Stacy and crew - so sorry to hear this news and please accept my families condolences. He was a great guy and besides appreciating his outlook on life at other times I very much enjoyed his presence (and occasionally somewhat unorthodox selection strategy) as an early and long time member of the "World's Oldest Hockey Pool." One of my favourite hockey pool memories is his selection strategy one year of picking players from the lowest contending teams in each division (which brought much snickering at the actual draft) - and almost winning. He did win in the pool in 1995 and 2000 proving conclusively that we did make a huge mistake in inviting some of our fathers into the pool as patsies to increase the pot of winnings without worry of them ever actually being successful. Hockey Pool aficionado, NDP'er, and I now see from the photo here a Cubs fan - my admiration grows! Again, our thoughts are with you and your family.
I just found out about Neil 's passing. I worked with Neil many, many years ago at Skene. I remember him with a smile...his daily jokes on the board was something we all looked forward to. And his Christmas party outfit of plaid on plaid on plaid. But, my joy was to be able to initiate "Neil day" where I'd asked all staff, students and the family to kneel whenever they saw him that day. He was quite puzzled for awhile about what was going on. I have thought of him often throughout the years with many fond memories. My thoughts and prayers to all of you.