A funeral service was held at All Saints’ Parish Church, Driffield on Tuesday December 8, for Mr Alan Richard Ellis, of Driffield, who died suddenly, but peacefully in Hull Royal Infirmary on November 26. He was aged 71 years.
The service was conducted by the Rev Robert Amos and the organist was Mr Steven Westaway.
Alan was born in Eastgate North, Driffield, to Margery and Arthur Ellis. He was the fifth child of 11 with siblings Colin, Jean, Peggy, Ronnie, Sally, Chris, Norman, Susie, Valerie and Sandra. Whilst still at school he used to do a paper round with his dad and helped with the gardening.
After leaving school he worked at Beards farm in Garton, later going to Egg Packers in Driffield. His dream was to be a jockey at Malton stables but he was offered a job as a stable lad, the conditions were harsh and the pay was poor so he packed his bags and left. He got a job at Chesney Farm, Wansford Road, delivering milk until Mr Towse retired in 1979 and he went to work for Mrs Moss in the building trade.
On a weekend Alan and his lifelong friend Peter Boddy worked at the Rex Club.
All the family would gather there and they would have a good time. Alan loved to dance, especially the jive.
He later started working for himself and he built many properties in Driffield and around Cranswick, Garton and Kilham.
On retirement he spent most days with his great pal John Duggleby.
He had many hobbies – he enjoyed playing snooker at the Rec, playing pool and dominoes for Driffield teams, he loved a day at the races. He also liked dancing and walking and enjoyed a good night out.
He met his partner, Jenny, late in life but they had many happy times together.
Alan was a Driffield character and he enjoyed life to the full, he loved people and enjoyed the simple pleasures in life.
He will be greatly missed.
Family Mourners: Norman and Marilyn Ellis (brother and sister in law), Sandra and Peter Balmforth, Sally and Michael Martin (sisters and brothers in law), Chris Ellis (brother), Susie Proudlock, Jean Peacock, Valerie Warcup, Peggy Rugg (sisters), Ronnie Ellis, Colin Ellis (Brothers), Jenny Welburn (partner), Helen Ellis and David Kell (niece and partner), Martin Ellis and Amy Morrison, Mark Ellis and Susie Bannister (nephews and partners), Angie Ready , Katie Brooks (nieces ), Robin Ellis (nephew), Kevin Taylor and Sandra (nephew and partner), Andrew Taylor (nephew), Cassandra Blakeston, Jenny Appleby (nieces), Mike Rugg (nephew), Craig Ellis (nephew ) also rep Steven Hardcastle (Norman Ellis Paint and Body), Luke Taylor (great nephew), Jessica Taylor, Zoe Ellis, Brogan Ellis (great nieces), Christine Ellis (cousin), Audrey Hodgson (cousin), John and Gail Duggleby.
Others present: Barrie and Irene Ellis, Brenda Dobson rep Audrey Hudson, Julian Noble, Norman and Rita Flintoft, Liz Warkup, Maurice Kellington rep Robert Cowton, Pete and Sue Boddy rep Ann and Kelvin Boddy, Ruth Marshall, Ashley Elliott, John and Delia Dean, Jean Noble rep Bernard, Barbara Braithwaite rep Don Braithwaite, Brian Leech, Margaret Thurley rep Joyce Dales, Linda Mills and Elaine Hobson,Andrea Brady, Dennis Thompson, Ted Elvidge rep Mary and Paul, Richard Wiles rep Margaret Wiles and John Robson.
Julie Elvidge rep The Limes, Bill Kitching, Brenda Moore, Denise Waddington rep Dennis, Brian Brown, Chris Hara rep Gill, Stuart Barker rep Vanessa, Peter Woodmansey rep Jennifer David Shields, Malcolm Kennedy rep Margaret Pearson and John Fleming, Paul and Mandy Blakeston, Trevor and Maureen Woodward, Mrs Susan Thompson rep Mr and Mrs S Newall, Philip Hourd, Mr C Sedman rep the family, Maggie Good, Terry Hoggarth rep Phil and Janet Woodcock and Derek and Angela Knaggs, Steve and Pam Woodcock rep Driffield Cricket Club, Sheila and Mike Hara, Jenny Thurlow, Ian and Rose Cawley, Chris Slater rep the family, Alan Reynolds rep Jane, Liam Duggleby rep the family.
Alistair McIlroy,Keith Dudding rep Brenda, Mr and Mrs P Nalton, Paul and Sheila Woodmansey rep Driffield Homing Society, Val and Jim McIlroy rep Frazer, Adrian Cockerill, Glen Cockerill, Pete Addy, Cliff and Lynn Duggleby rep Vigo Jenson, John Booth rep Mary, Helen Parker, Walter Wilkinson, Mary Mabbett rep Robert and Marke, Dulcie Wright rep Chris, Marlene Edgar, Keith Howe rep Susan, Christine Trowhill, Sandra and Richard Ambler, Alan Stainton, Jean Cook, Maurice Peacock rep Roy and Kath Cornwell, Richard Sharp rep Cynthia, Mona and Peter Strangeway, Christopher Leggott, Valerie Wood-Townend, Stan Bird rep the family, Mick Foster rep Mick Barker, Gill Kyle, Rita and George Riggs rep The Bell Hotel, Peter Earl, Pete Edgar, David Lundy, Patricia Pudsey rep Adrian, Pauline Deeth, David Cawthorn rep Barbara Vincent, Keith Thompson and John and Sandie Hall, Derek Hobson rep Elaine, Richard Sabiston, Jim Sterriker, Wendy Simpson, Jo Cox, Pat Grant, Kevin Hairsine,Ken Cousins, Andy Hussey.
Johnny Taylor rep Michael Duggleby, Nigel Newland, Sam Duggleby, Stephen and Jane Calvert, Victor Boddy rep Pauline Boddy, Richard Harper rep Chris and Di Dean, Mark Easingwood rep Alan Easingwood and Lynn Barber, Mr J Barker rep Sandra, Wayne, Jason and Gavin, Peter Jackson rep Mrs A Jackson, David Mawer, Michael and Sheila Ward, Pete Schofield rep Steve Briggs, Frank Meek, John Ellis, Mike Schofield, Jill and Mike Campbell rep Irene and Dave Hanson, Jim Sampson rep Mary, Paul Hornby, Norman and Patrick Wiltshire, Malcolm Syme, Tony and Chris Rugg, Gary Ringrose rep Driffield Homing Society, Ross Weekes rep Rob and Elaine Leason.
John Schofield, Molly Middewood, Les Artley rep Cath and Steve Briggs, Ian Turner, John Hallett rep Jean Clark and Sandra Maxwell, Judy Thompson, George Hodgson, Brenda and Les Pinkney, Mrs Brenda Pymm, Peter Barr, Steve and Shellie Barr, Don Raine, David Atkinson, Dave Sissons, Kenneth Allen, Martin Mason, Dave Foster,Malcolm Lewis.