James Otis Ellis Sr.

My name is James Otis Ellis, Sr. born in Barnstable April 4, 1938, an 11th generation Barnstable native. My mother was Mary Louise (Jones) Ellis (1899-1998). My father was Otis Daron Ellis (1899-1983). I had two sisters, Marjorie Ellis (D) and Mary Louise Bryant (late Ed Bryant). I met my wife, Joan (Watts) Ellis in the 9th grade and have been happily married 66 years. Joan and I had four children together, James Otis Ellis, Jr. (Priscilla Isaacs Ellis), John Ellis (Laurie Benolken Ellis), Jennifer Ellis-Stern (late Andrew Stern) and Jason Ellis. We have six grandsons, four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

My childhood was very active with family and friends. I grew up in Barnstable Village where we played football and baseball. In the summer, we hung out at Hathaway’s Pond but mostly at the harbor where we would swim and have bonfires. In the winter, we did a lot of snow shoveling and sledding. We would gather at each other's homes on a regular basis. I started working the trap boats at 9 years old and continued throughout high school.

I graduated from Barnstable High School 1956 where I played football as a Red Raider, and watched over the years as my sons and grandsons continued the tradition. I proudly served my country in the U.S.M.C. Reserves in 1955 for one year, then the U.S.A.F. for four years in Tucson, Arizona as a Nuclear Weapons Mechanic Spec 1 and was honorably discharged 10/1/60 then moved back to the Cape.

Over the years I was a Cub Scout Leader, owned and operated the Hyannis Gulf Service gas station, served as President of the Barnstable Red Raiders Quarterback Club, founded the Barnstable County Fair Blacksmith Exhibit, was the Grand Marshall of the 2015 Barnstable Village 4th of July parade (alongside Joan), received the Town of Barnstable Historic Preservation Award in 2021, and a member of the New England Blacksmith Association.

I have been carrying on the 111 year family tradition of blacksmithing in the same village. The longest record in the country! For 44 years, I have continued this ancient and honorable craft as to preserve the past will ensure the future. I have passed this craft on to the future generations.

Joan and I have raised our four children with the values to keep the family and village history alive so that our future generations will appreciate what came before them. We have tried to make our world a better place, living by the words, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” I could fix anything except a broken heart.

Public graveside service at the Cummaquid Cemetery on Feb. 25 at 1:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, please donate to: U.S. Coast Guard Museum https://coastguardheritagemuseum.org/membership, Barnstable Historical Society https://barnstablehistoricalsociety.org/donate/ or Tales of Cape Cod https://talesofcapecod.org/.