James G. Ellis, 86 of West Hartford, CT, passed away peacefully in Durham, NC on Friday, January 12, 2024, where he resided for the last three years of his life. Jim was born in Brooklyn, NY and was the son of the late George J. and Marina (Drivas) Ellis.

Jim is predeceased by his loving wife, Evanthia (Pappas) Ellis and survived by his son, George J. Ellis and his wife Susan, and his daughter Dena (Ellis) Byers and her husband Randy, and his most cherished grandchildren, Olivia and Alexander Ellis and Evan Byers. He is also survived by his brother John Ellis and his sister Margo (Ellis) Anagnos, and much loved extended family.

A veteran, who served in the United States Army, Jim was stationed in Germany between the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was proud of his service, but was just as proud to say that he hailed from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and enjoyed going back to the "old neighborhood" and telling stories about growing up there.

Jim was an airline industry veteran, when elegance and adventure were the defining characteristics, which suited him perfectly. Beginning as a Ramp Agent for American Airlines, he worked his way up in sales with AA, then to Olympic Airways, where he was promoted to Head of Sales for the State of Connecticut in 1973, moving his family to West Hartford. His time with Olympic provided Jim with the opportunity to have traveled to all corners of the world, and numerous times to Greece, often accompanied by Eva, and frequently his children, with whom he and Eva have instilled an appreciation for the diversity of global cultures. A member of numerous travel organizations, Jim was a founding member and past president of the Connecticut Chapter of Bon Vivants, as well as an active and long serving member of SKÅL and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).

Family and his Greek heritage were everything to Jim. He was very proud to be Greek and shared that love with all he met and knew. If you knew Jim, then you felt Greek too!

Jim can only be described as the ultimate "Bon Vivant" who, with scotch and water in hand, danced, sang, whistled and laughed his way through life. Jim lit up the world with his sense of humor and his never-ending ability to have fun. He loved people and his joyful character was infectious. Everyone and anyone who met him, loved him. Jim fiercely loved his three grandchildren who all adored him. He was so proud of them and they enjoyed sharing him with all their friends. Jim thrived when around his grandchildren and they are blessed to have had him as an extraordinary Papou. There are many others who consider Jim their "Papou" or "Theo" and hold him near and dear in their hearts.

Jim's larger-than-life personality and love will be missed by so many!

The funeral service will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024 11:00 AM at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave., Hartford, Ct., 06114, with the Reverend Dr. George Zugravu officiating.  Burial with full military honors will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Thursday, at St. George, before the service from 9:30 to 11:00 am

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) at alzfdn.org or the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) at iocc.org in Jim's memory.

To share a memory with the family, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com