By Bill Nestor
Recently a local legend passed away after years of caring for his community. Anthony Elliswas 86 years old and spent much of his time on Earth doing for others – especially our youth.
Anthony grew up in Harrison County, graduating from St. Mary’s High School in Clarksburg in 1955. He moved straight to Wheeling, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology four years later. Ellis opted to return to North Central West Virginia to attend Fairmont State College. He would use this opportunity to garner the necessary classes to become a teacher.
Seven years after his high school graduation, Ellis returned home to begin his teaching career at Notre Dame High School. He showed extreme versatility and a true desire to help children, teaching Biology, General Science, Religion, and Senior Business Math. Back in those days, teachers were looked at with a certain level of respect. At that time, coaches were also held in very high regard and Ellis was involved with several extracurricular activities. He coached football, basketball, and tennis for the Fighting Irish.
Radio announcers joke about players that do several things for their team by saying “they do everything but sweep the floor.” Back in the 60s, Coach Elliswould literally drive the bus to and from games. It wasn’t just x’s and o’s for Ellis; it was stop signs and lights as well!
In the late 60s, Anthony’s father became ill and he left teaching to become a full-time restaurateur at the Sunset Ellis Restaurant. Once again, his love for others took center stage. First it was the youth and then it was his family. Ellis put his heart and soul into making sure they knew how much he meant to them.
It was at the Sunset Ellis Restaurant where I met Anthony. He remembered me from my playing days at Washington Irving High School and he knew that I was a broadcaster and a writer at that time. We had some terrific conversations over the years. No matter how busy he was, he would always take time to talk. He had the ability, and more importantly the desire, to want to make you feel important. He was simply put, a great person that people would gravitate to.
What I liked the most about Anthony was that he was such an unassuming man. We developed a friendship that went on for several years before I even knew of all of his previous coaching and teaching accomplishments. It wasn;’t until I became the Sports Editor of the Shinnston News and Harrison County Journal that I learned of his past. I was invited to attend the prestigious Frank Loria Banquet. Anthony was a devout member of the Clarksburg Columbian Club and he was the Academic Excellence presenter at the banquet. Being a member of the Columbian Club allowed Anthony to continue to do for others even after his coaching and teaching days were long over.
I gained a newfound respect for Anthony after learning about all that he had accomplished in his past. What made it even that much more impressive was that he didn’t waste time talking about it. He was busy doing for others and he didn’t have time to talk about himself.
Here is to a life well-lived. Rest in peace,my friend.
That will do it for now. Until next week . . . Take care and God Bless!