Departed peacefully at Andrews of Stratford on January 16th 2022 when he left us to join his beloved wife Anne in Heaven.

 

Gerald B. Ells of Charlottetown, PEI aged 96 years. Devoted husband of Dorothy Anne Ells (nee Dunsford); loving father of Judy Ells-Whittingham (David) and Randy (Kathy) Ells; Grandfather to Gareth (Gloria) Whittingham; Uncle Gerald to Douglas, Robert and Tom Sear, and Susan (Ells) Leger. Predeceased in November 2021 by his wife of 66 years, Anne Ells; his parents Herbert and Vera (Mosher) Ells; brother Vernon Ells and wife Marjorie.

 

Gerald was born in Canning, Nova Scotia on February 25th 1925. A descendant of the original ‘Planters’ who settled in the Annapolis Valley in 1760’s. Gerald would accompany his Dad on rambles, exploring the Valley and Blomidon shore. The family was embedded into the Canning community and both Gerald and Vernon grew up with family, strong faith, music, local industry and love of the land.

 

Gerald finished High School in 1942 and completed his electrical apprenticeship in the next 2 years. While working his trade and volunteering with the Fire Department he found time to set up a small photography studio in Canning. Now he could take photos of the Valley he loved. He was noted for his scenes of the valley and for hand-colouring many of these photos in oils.

Anne and Gerald met at a skating party in 1949 and as their relationship grew Gerald found himself following Anne and her family to Ottawa where he began work with Crawley Films, then a leading company in Canadian film.

 

Gerald and Anne were married in Ottawa in 1955, where they brought Judy and Randy into the world. They had many family adventures and created a beautiful home and garden in Bells Corners. Once there, Gerald would work for Computing Devices of Canada where he was an industrial photographer. He photographed many leading-edge designs and technology.

 

In 1971, the family moved to PEI where Gerald started the photography program at Holland College. A natural teacher, Gerald loved the Holland College philosophy of self-motivation and life-long learning. It was a perfect fit. There were many students over the years and Gerald was always very proud of all their accomplishments. His photo here, taken by former student Susan MacDonald.

 

In 1990 Gerald retired from Holland College. He and Anne spent time with family and fixing-up two charming homes. He developed lovely gardens for Anne at both homes so she would always have flowers and beauty. He was her constant companion and guardian.

 

Their last ten years have been at Andrews of Stratford where Gerald and Anne were close to Anne’s sister, Betty (Sear) Drysdale. They would take part in music and social events. Gerald began painting, container gardening and writing. In their nineties, Gerald would most often be at Anne’s side or reading and writing his memoirs for the family.

 

Gerald took beautiful textural photos which celebrated landscapes, seascapes, the built environment and people; inviting us to look closer and to celebrate the beauty in everyday scenes. Through his work, he continues to inspire us to care for our beautiful world as he did.

 

The family would like to thank all the staff and caregivers at Andrews of Stratford, Rev. Madonna Fradsham, Rev. Arnold Stairs and Dot Blanchard for all their love, care and attention for both our Mother and Father.

 

Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment in Toronto, Ontario. If so desired, memorials to Doctors Without Borders or Island Nature Trust would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com