Durward “Dude” Ellis

Durward “Dude” Ellis passed away peacefully on March 10, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 20, 1935, to Glenn and Ida (Ashford) Ellis, he spent his early years in East Calais, Vermont, where he developed a lifelong passion for the New York Yankees while listening to Mel Allen on radio WDEV. The family moved to St. Johnsbury in 1948 when his parents purchased Stevens Paint & Wallpaper Store. Known as “The East Calais Flash” for his speed, he excelled in academics and athletics at St. Johnsbury Academy as a three-sport athlete. He graduated in 1953 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in business from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.

On August 16, 1958, Durward married Kay Sabens of Barre. After living in Burlington for two years while Kay completed her degree at the University of Vermont, the couple settled in Connecticut, where Durward worked for the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company and their son Michael was born. In 1961 they returned to St. Johnsbury to join his parents at Ellis Paint & Wallpaper, where Durward worked until the business closed in 1996. Daughter Esther joined the family in 1964.

Durward was deeply committed to his community in St. Johnsbury and beyond. He served in the U.S. Jaycees, rising to Vermont State President in 1967 and helping establish chapters across the state. His meeting with Governor Deane Davis led to the creation of Green Up Day. As a Justice of the Peace, he counted ballots, performed more than 60 marriages, and served on the Board of Civil Authority. He supported local youth through the Diversion Board, Little League, and school board, and held leadership roles with Vermont Forest, Parks and Recreation, the Rotary Club—where he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award—and as St. Johnsbury Citizen of the Year in 1976. A dedicated athlete, he played recreational basketball and softball into his 50s and completed a 5K race at age 80.

A longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church, Durward trained as a Lay Speaker and led services throughout the area. He was active in Republican politics and served on the board of the North East Training Organization. He and Kay opened their home to many students from St. Johnsbury Academy, including international “home stay” children Berta, Doris, Renate, Doris, and Shelly, as well as Li Shu and Han Shu, who became cherished members of their extended family. The Ellises visited each of their home countries and maintained close ties over the years.

After retiring from the family store, Durward sold insurance for the AON Company and later volunteered as a driver for Rural Community Transportation for a decade, traveling extensively throughout the region. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Kay; son Michael (Cathleen) of Westwood, Massachusetts; daughter Esther (Larry) Denham of Glenville, New York; Chinese sons Li Shu and Han Shu (Soundhari); grandchildren Laura, Heather, Karen, Jonathan (Annie), Christopher (Sarah), Susannah, Toby, Abby, Maya, and Kiran; great-grandchildren Joy and Irene; sister-in-law Faye Ellis; and niece Amanda (Patrick) Phillips and her children. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Keith Ellis.