Obituary of Herbert Aloysius Ellis

Captain Herbert A. Ellis USN Retired, 89, of Pensacola, Florida passed away peacefully after a prolonged illness on Friday, October 18, 2024. Captain Ellis leaves his beloved and cherished wife, Sallie Glisson Ellis. He was predeceased by his parents, Captain Herbert A. Ellis Sr. USN Retired and Katherine G. Crowley Ellis, his sisters, Elaine Crotty, Kathleen Wojcik, and Evelyn Wade. Herbert was born in Boston and raised in Milton, Massachusetts. He was a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Class of 1957.

Herbert proudly served in the US Navy beginning 1952 retiring in 1985 after 30 years of distinguished service. His service took him around the world including the Atlantic, Mediterranean, South Pacific, and South America beginning as a Chief Engineer rising to the rank of Captain. His service included tours on historic destroyers including the USS Frank Knox during Vietnam war from 1962-64; USS North Hampton part of Destroyer Squadron 22 as the operations officer of the combat information office on the Presidential Command ship; and the USS Norfolk on the Goodwill cruise around South America with Admiral John Poindexter, USN. His fondly remembered tour of duty was as Commanding Officer of the USS Holder, as part of the Standing Naval Force Atlantic, a multinational squadron of frigates and destroyers. His last duty was in Human Resource Management for the Navy at the Naval Safety Center in Norfolk, Virginia.

Upon retirement Herbert traveled for 10 years the waterways of the United States and Bahamas by boat with his favorite co-captain and navigator, Sallie Ellis, his wife. They had many adventures meeting people, making friends, and collecting stories. Next, they took on the roadways of the United States via RV for another 10 years. Once again, their explorations and love of learning brought them many new friends, more stories, and opportunities to explore the many beautiful mountains, towns, rivers and valleys of the country Herbert so proudly served.

Captain Ellis leaves his son, Captain Michael F. Ellis Retired, NOAA Corps and wife Cyndi of Wisconsin, his daughter, Katherine F. Berkowitz of North Carolina, his stepdaughters, Luanne Files and Mary Smith of Virginia; his grandchildren, Tiffani Sarten and husband, Fred along with their children, Finley, Abby, Vaughn, Falon and Ryan; Sean Smith and his wife Catherine; and Zoe Taylor. He also leaves his dear sister June Ellis Doe and his niece Katherine A. Doe of Norwood, Massachusetts, and his nephew, Dr. Robert E. Doe and wife Jacqueline of Medfield, Massachusetts, and niece, Christine M. Wise and husband Adam of Dover, Massachusetts. He will be dearly missed by his brother-in-law, Richard Glisson and sister-in-law, Ursula Glisson. Herbert leaves many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews all of whose adventures and accomplishments he followed with great enjoyment.

Captain Ellis was a true patriot, a devoted husband to Sallie, loving father, brother, uncle, and kind friend to so many. He will be missed, and we wish him fair winds and following seas on his journey.  

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:30AM on Monday, October 28, 2024 at Barrancas National Cemetery (Shelter B), 1 Cemetery Road Pensacola, Florida 32508.

Procession will form at Olive Baptist Church - WARRINGTON CAMPUS, 103 West Winthrop Avenue Pensacola, Florida 32507 at 10AM. 

Following the service, all family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at the Grand Lagoon Yacht Club, 10653 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, Florida 32507.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or a charity of your choice in Herbert's honor. 

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html