Excerpt from obituary in The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, Sunday, January 29, 2012:
"Ed passed away on January 21, 2012, in Portland, very proud to have reached the age of 100 years. He was born on October 28, 1911, in the Berkeley neighborhood of Southeast Portland to Barbara Marie Koehl Ellsworth and William James Ellsworth. Ed first attended grade school in Eastmoreland then at St. Agatha Catholic School in Sellwood. Berkeley was then an animated, tight-knit, community with many families having recently emigrated from all parts of Europe. Ed would recall proudly that he was able to curse in about eight different languages at a very young age.
With a lasting keen mind, Ed was a fascinating story-teller. He loved to describe his childhood: the neighborhood; his many friends and the games and pranks they would play; sneaking into the firehouse paddock to ride the horses; fishing and playing at Johnson Creek; the tall, masted wooden ships on the Willamette; crossing the river on the Sellwood ferry; the rough-and-tumble streets of downtown Portland; seeing an airplane for the first time during World War I; streetcars and horse-drawn wagons vying for space on the road; and, much more.
Ed was a very industrious young child and earned money any way he could, including caddying and collecting golf balls at the then new Eastmoreland golf course. While he would give most of his earnings to his mother, he always managed to secret away enough to regularly see his beloved silent cowboy movies. At 11 years old, in his father's absence, he, along with his older siblings, took on the enormous task of supporting the family. They worked odd jobs, made crafts to sell and shared a large newspaper route. Ed's first full-time job, when he was 13 years old, was cleaning the barn and packing milk on a dairy farm in Clackamas County. He later worked on several other farms and delivered milk in the Southeast Portland area.
During the Depression Ed worked as a buckaroo in Eastern Oregon and had very fond memories of working on a ranch near Fox herding sheep, being on the trail and packing salt on mules into the Cascade Mountains. He also worked clearing trails under the WPA, as a commercial fisherman, as a logger and then, for several decades, as a welder and proud member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. During the Korean War he was a Merchant Marine and traveled to Asia. Ed's career highlighted and fitted well with his independent spirit and love of freedom and travel.
After retiring in the 1970's, Ed became a long-time resident of Milwaukie and was able to indulge in his numerous hobbies and pastimes: gardening; fishing; reading; dining out at Larry's Restaurant; and, "scrounging" around thrift stores, junk shops and the "freebie table" at the Milwaukie Senior Center. He was adept at taking cast-off items and materials and making them into something useful. What we laud as recycling materials today, to Ed, was merely how you conducted your life: frugally, with respect for nature and without waste.
Yes, sometimes Ed could be cranky and, as he said, ornery but to those that knew him well it was borne not from anger but rather from fatigue, illness or frustration at growing older and losing his independence in a rapidly changing world. He was more often kind, caring, generous and eager to help. His compassion and empathy were most evident with those less fortunate than him. While Ed regretted only having a grade-school education, he was very wise and full of common sense; his advice and perspective were always welcome. His kindness also extended to animals, which he loved. Ed spoke of their unique personalities and how his horse, a single-footer, and dogs that accompanied him on the trail were "worth their weight in gold." He would reminisce fondly of his first dogs, Kaiser and King, that he had as a child and especially loved his great-nieces' cats McKenzie, Mason and Shadow.
Ed was a devoted son and the main support for his mother in her later years. He had always wanted a family but never married because, with all his responsibilities, he felt that he was not in a financial position to raise children. Nevertheless, Ed cultivated a huge "family." He was a beloved father figure to many, including his younger siblings, and was known as "Uncle Ed" by numerous people. Ed was blessed with great friends throughout his life. He is remembered as a remarkable, fascinating and good-hearted man. . . .
He was predeceased by his parents; his older siblings, Gertrude and Victor; his younger brothers Elmer and Elbert; a nephew; numerous friends; and his cherished great-niece Anita, by whom he was buried in Multnomah Park Cemetery. . . .
At Ed's request, there was no service. As he was fond of saying that he wanted to receive his bouquets of flowers "while [he was] alive," any remembrances should be in the form of flowers, hugs, kind words of appreciation or any other "bouquets" you may have for your loved ones to show them now how much they mean to you."
"Ed passed away on January 21, 2012, in Portland, very proud to have reached the age of 100 years. He was born on October 28, 1911, in the Berkeley neighborhood of Southeast Portland to Barbara Marie Koehl Ellsworth and William James Ellsworth. Ed first attended grade school in Eastmoreland then at St. Agatha Catholic School in Sellwood. Berkeley was then an animated, tight-knit, community with many families having recently emigrated from all parts of Europe. Ed would recall proudly that he was able to curse in about eight different languages at a very young age.
With a lasting keen mind, Ed was a fascinating story-teller. He loved to describe his childhood: the neighborhood; his many friends and the games and pranks they would play; sneaking into the firehouse paddock to ride the horses; fishing and playing at Johnson Creek; the tall, masted wooden ships on the Willamette; crossing the river on the Sellwood ferry; the rough-and-tumble streets of downtown Portland; seeing an airplane for the first time during World War I; streetcars and horse-drawn wagons vying for space on the road; and, much more.
Ed was a very industrious young child and earned money any way he could, including caddying and collecting golf balls at the then new Eastmoreland golf course. While he would give most of his earnings to his mother, he always managed to secret away enough to regularly see his beloved silent cowboy movies. At 11 years old, in his father's absence, he, along with his older siblings, took on the enormous task of supporting the family. They worked odd jobs, made crafts to sell and shared a large newspaper route. Ed's first full-time job, when he was 13 years old, was cleaning the barn and packing milk on a dairy farm in Clackamas County. He later worked on several other farms and delivered milk in the Southeast Portland area.
During the Depression Ed worked as a buckaroo in Eastern Oregon and had very fond memories of working on a ranch near Fox herding sheep, being on the trail and packing salt on mules into the Cascade Mountains. He also worked clearing trails under the WPA, as a commercial fisherman, as a logger and then, for several decades, as a welder and proud member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. During the Korean War he was a Merchant Marine and traveled to Asia. Ed's career highlighted and fitted well with his independent spirit and love of freedom and travel.
After retiring in the 1970's, Ed became a long-time resident of Milwaukie and was able to indulge in his numerous hobbies and pastimes: gardening; fishing; reading; dining out at Larry's Restaurant; and, "scrounging" around thrift stores, junk shops and the "freebie table" at the Milwaukie Senior Center. He was adept at taking cast-off items and materials and making them into something useful. What we laud as recycling materials today, to Ed, was merely how you conducted your life: frugally, with respect for nature and without waste.
Yes, sometimes Ed could be cranky and, as he said, ornery but to those that knew him well it was borne not from anger but rather from fatigue, illness or frustration at growing older and losing his independence in a rapidly changing world. He was more often kind, caring, generous and eager to help. His compassion and empathy were most evident with those less fortunate than him. While Ed regretted only having a grade-school education, he was very wise and full of common sense; his advice and perspective were always welcome. His kindness also extended to animals, which he loved. Ed spoke of their unique personalities and how his horse, a single-footer, and dogs that accompanied him on the trail were "worth their weight in gold." He would reminisce fondly of his first dogs, Kaiser and King, that he had as a child and especially loved his great-nieces' cats McKenzie, Mason and Shadow.
Ed was a devoted son and the main support for his mother in her later years. He had always wanted a family but never married because, with all his responsibilities, he felt that he was not in a financial position to raise children. Nevertheless, Ed cultivated a huge "family." He was a beloved father figure to many, including his younger siblings, and was known as "Uncle Ed" by numerous people. Ed was blessed with great friends throughout his life. He is remembered as a remarkable, fascinating and good-hearted man. . . .
He was predeceased by his parents; his older siblings, Gertrude and Victor; his younger brothers Elmer and Elbert; a nephew; numerous friends; and his cherished great-niece Anita, by whom he was buried in Multnomah Park Cemetery. . . .
At Ed's request, there was no service. As he was fond of saying that he wanted to receive his bouquets of flowers "while [he was] alive," any remembrances should be in the form of flowers, hugs, kind words of appreciation or any other "bouquets" you may have for your loved ones to show them now how much they mean to you."
Excerpt from obituary in The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, Sunday, January 29, 2012:
"Ed passed away on January 21, 2012, in Portland, very proud to have reached the age of 100 years. He was born on October 28, 1911, in the Berkeley neighborhood of Southeast Portland to Barbara Marie Koehl Ellsworth and William James Ellsworth. Ed first attended grade school in Eastmoreland then at St. Agatha Catholic School in Sellwood. Berkeley was then an animated, tight-knit, community with many families having recently emigrated from all parts of Europe. Ed would recall proudly that he was able to curse in about eight different languages at a very young age.
With a lasting keen mind, Ed was a fascinating story-teller. He loved to describe his childhood: the neighborhood; his many friends and the games and pranks they would play; sneaking into the firehouse paddock to ride the horses; fishing and playing at Johnson Creek; the tall, masted wooden ships on the Willamette; crossing the river on the Sellwood ferry; the rough-and-tumble streets of downtown Portland; seeing an airplane for the first time during World War I; streetcars and horse-drawn wagons vying for space on the road; and, much more.
Ed was a very industrious young child and earned money any way he could, including caddying and collecting golf balls at the then new Eastmoreland golf course. While he would give most of his earnings to his mother, he always managed to secret away enough to regularly see his beloved silent cowboy movies. At 11 years old, in his father's absence, he, along with his older siblings, took on the enormous task of supporting the family. They worked odd jobs, made crafts to sell and shared a large newspaper route. Ed's first full-time job, when he was 13 years old, was cleaning the barn and packing milk on a dairy farm in Clackamas County. He later worked on several other farms and delivered milk in the Southeast Portland area.
During the Depression Ed worked as a buckaroo in Eastern Oregon and had very fond memories of working on a ranch near Fox herding sheep, being on the trail and packing salt on mules into the Cascade Mountains. He also worked clearing trails under the WPA, as a commercial fisherman, as a logger and then, for several decades, as a welder and proud member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. During the Korean War he was a Merchant Marine and traveled to Asia. Ed's career highlighted and fitted well with his independent spirit and love of freedom and travel.
After retiring in the 1970's, Ed became a long-time resident of Milwaukie and was able to indulge in his numerous hobbies and pastimes: gardening; fishing; reading; dining out at Larry's Restaurant; and, "scrounging" around thrift stores, junk shops and the "freebie table" at the Milwaukie Senior Center. He was adept at taking cast-off items and materials and making them into something useful. What we laud as recycling materials today, to Ed, was merely how you conducted your life: frugally, with respect for nature and without waste.
Yes, sometimes Ed could be cranky and, as he said, ornery but to those that knew him well it was borne not from anger but rather from fatigue, illness or frustration at growing older and losing his independence in a rapidly changing world. He was more often kind, caring, generous and eager to help. His compassion and empathy were most evident with those less fortunate than him. While Ed regretted only having a grade-school education, he was very wise and full of common sense; his advice and perspective were always welcome. His kindness also extended to animals, which he loved. Ed spoke of their unique personalities and how his horse, a single-footer, and dogs that accompanied him on the trail were "worth their weight in gold." He would reminisce fondly of his first dogs, Kaiser and King, that he had as a child and especially loved his great-nieces' cats McKenzie, Mason and Shadow.
Ed was a devoted son and the main support for his mother in her later years. He had always wanted a family but never married because, with all his responsibilities, he felt that he was not in a financial position to raise children. Nevertheless, Ed cultivated a huge "family." He was a beloved father figure to many, including his younger siblings, and was known as "Uncle Ed" by numerous people. Ed was blessed with great friends throughout his life. He is remembered as a remarkable, fascinating and good-hearted man. . . .
He was predeceased by his parents; his older siblings, Gertrude and Victor; his younger brothers Elmer and Elbert; a nephew; numerous friends; and his cherished great-niece Anita, by whom he was buried in Multnomah Park Cemetery. . . .
At Ed's request, there was no service. As he was fond of saying that he wanted to receive his bouquets of flowers "while [he was] alive," any remembrances should be in the form of flowers, hugs, kind words of appreciation or any other "bouquets" you may have for your loved ones to show them now how much they mean to you."
"Ed passed away on January 21, 2012, in Portland, very proud to have reached the age of 100 years. He was born on October 28, 1911, in the Berkeley neighborhood of Southeast Portland to Barbara Marie Koehl Ellsworth and William James Ellsworth. Ed first attended grade school in Eastmoreland then at St. Agatha Catholic School in Sellwood. Berkeley was then an animated, tight-knit, community with many families having recently emigrated from all parts of Europe. Ed would recall proudly that he was able to curse in about eight different languages at a very young age.
With a lasting keen mind, Ed was a fascinating story-teller. He loved to describe his childhood: the neighborhood; his many friends and the games and pranks they would play; sneaking into the firehouse paddock to ride the horses; fishing and playing at Johnson Creek; the tall, masted wooden ships on the Willamette; crossing the river on the Sellwood ferry; the rough-and-tumble streets of downtown Portland; seeing an airplane for the first time during World War I; streetcars and horse-drawn wagons vying for space on the road; and, much more.
Ed was a very industrious young child and earned money any way he could, including caddying and collecting golf balls at the then new Eastmoreland golf course. While he would give most of his earnings to his mother, he always managed to secret away enough to regularly see his beloved silent cowboy movies. At 11 years old, in his father's absence, he, along with his older siblings, took on the enormous task of supporting the family. They worked odd jobs, made crafts to sell and shared a large newspaper route. Ed's first full-time job, when he was 13 years old, was cleaning the barn and packing milk on a dairy farm in Clackamas County. He later worked on several other farms and delivered milk in the Southeast Portland area.
During the Depression Ed worked as a buckaroo in Eastern Oregon and had very fond memories of working on a ranch near Fox herding sheep, being on the trail and packing salt on mules into the Cascade Mountains. He also worked clearing trails under the WPA, as a commercial fisherman, as a logger and then, for several decades, as a welder and proud member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. During the Korean War he was a Merchant Marine and traveled to Asia. Ed's career highlighted and fitted well with his independent spirit and love of freedom and travel.
After retiring in the 1970's, Ed became a long-time resident of Milwaukie and was able to indulge in his numerous hobbies and pastimes: gardening; fishing; reading; dining out at Larry's Restaurant; and, "scrounging" around thrift stores, junk shops and the "freebie table" at the Milwaukie Senior Center. He was adept at taking cast-off items and materials and making them into something useful. What we laud as recycling materials today, to Ed, was merely how you conducted your life: frugally, with respect for nature and without waste.
Yes, sometimes Ed could be cranky and, as he said, ornery but to those that knew him well it was borne not from anger but rather from fatigue, illness or frustration at growing older and losing his independence in a rapidly changing world. He was more often kind, caring, generous and eager to help. His compassion and empathy were most evident with those less fortunate than him. While Ed regretted only having a grade-school education, he was very wise and full of common sense; his advice and perspective were always welcome. His kindness also extended to animals, which he loved. Ed spoke of their unique personalities and how his horse, a single-footer, and dogs that accompanied him on the trail were "worth their weight in gold." He would reminisce fondly of his first dogs, Kaiser and King, that he had as a child and especially loved his great-nieces' cats McKenzie, Mason and Shadow.
Ed was a devoted son and the main support for his mother in her later years. He had always wanted a family but never married because, with all his responsibilities, he felt that he was not in a financial position to raise children. Nevertheless, Ed cultivated a huge "family." He was a beloved father figure to many, including his younger siblings, and was known as "Uncle Ed" by numerous people. Ed was blessed with great friends throughout his life. He is remembered as a remarkable, fascinating and good-hearted man. . . .
He was predeceased by his parents; his older siblings, Gertrude and Victor; his younger brothers Elmer and Elbert; a nephew; numerous friends; and his cherished great-niece Anita, by whom he was buried in Multnomah Park Cemetery. . . .
At Ed's request, there was no service. As he was fond of saying that he wanted to receive his bouquets of flowers "while [he was] alive," any remembrances should be in the form of flowers, hugs, kind words of appreciation or any other "bouquets" you may have for your loved ones to show them now how much they mean to you."
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