Former trainer James “Jim” Clarence Ellis, age 87, of Essex, Ont. passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023.
Jim was known for his love of his family, horses, country & western music, dancing and the Detroit Red Wings.
He will be remembered and honoured by his loving wife, Betty Ellis, and his four children, Sharon Creighton, Joanne and Rick Howard, Steven and Sharon Ellis, and Thane and Sandy Ellis. Also, step-children to the late Mike Blake, Mary and Tony Piccinin, and Chris and Siobhan Blake. Grandpa of Amie Creighton, Paul and Holly Howard, Kaley and Dan Spencer, Rebecca and Mike Bierworth, Taylor and Brody Farrish, Dakota Ellis, and Kiley Ellis. Step-grandfather of Jimmy, Johnny, Jodi, and William. GG Pa to great-grandchildren Jack, Maci, Easton, Kane, Cambria, Sawyer, Shay, Maverick, Cannon, and Louden. He will be missed by his siblings Marjorie McCabe, and Marian and Jack Brown, and his nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 2 - 4 p.m. at Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre, 249 Sherk St, Leamington, Ont.
If you desire, please make donations to the New Start Standardbreds or Crohns & Colitis Canada.
“There’s something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jim Ellis.
Condolences To The Ellis Family
We extend our condolences to Betty and her family on the passing of their patriarch. Jim truly loved his involvement in the sport and competed for many years at a very high level. Jim and Betty had the thrill of breeding, training and racing their own pride and joy, Shadywood Baron. He was a long wearing horse that raced in the top class for many years and earned in excess of $300,000 lifetime. In 2011 "Buddy" as he was known was honored by Western Fair Raceway as " Older pacing horse or gelding of the year", quite an honour for a one horse stable. I had the pleasure of often sitting and visiting with Jim as we watched the races at Windsor Raceway.
Robert and Linda Smith