It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of longtime educator John Franklin Ellis BA, MA, EdD. Born 1926 and raised in Vancouver, he passed away September 15, 2008, in North Vancouver.

John started his teaching career in Sechelt, BC, in a one-room school, teaching Grade 1 to 12. He moved through the school system from West Vancouver, where he was principal of four elementary schools. Moving to UBC, he became assistant to the elementary department under Dean Scarfe. After obtaining his doctorate from the University of California at Berkley, he left UBC to help open Simon Fraser University. John Ellis came to SFU as a charter faculty member in the Faculty of Education joining the University to direct the Professional Foundations Program. He served on the Board of Governors for three years when faculty members were for the first time elected to the serve on the Board. He served as temporary acting President of SFU for four days following the resignation of Patrick McTaggart-Cowan in May 1968. In November of that year, a series of protests against Simon Fraser University's admissions policies and inconsistent accreditation for courses taken at other institutions culminated in a 65 hour "sit-in" in the University Administration Offices. The University Senate responded by charging Professor Ellis with the responsibility of "the development of a definitive and comprehensive admissions and standings policy in consultation with an advisory committee..." (Simon Fraser University Senate. Minutes of Meeting held November 20, 1968). Although there was an "advisory committee" named by Senate, established when Ken Strand became president, the final report is the product of Dr. Ellis' research, reflection and writing. His report, Admissions and Standards: A Suggested Policy was released late March 1969. In June 1969, Senate adopted the recommendations of the report with only minor revisions. The admissions controversy was effectively defused. The Ellis Report as it was re-titled by the University community, was widely applauded in post-secondary education circles in British Columbia, and played an important role in the development of Simon Fraser University. Working with Dean Archie MacKinnon, John implemented radical changes in the teacher education system, including a 50/50 lecture/practicum requirement, the secondment of school teachers as Faculty Associates and Program Coordinators to work directly with students as professional mentors, and the establishment of essential connections with the school districts, all of which are in use in the Faculty's mandate today and regarded as best practice in pre-service teacher education.

He held many positions including Director of Graduate Programs, and served as Dean of the Faculty of Education from 1975 - 1977. John was on the founding Board of Capilano College. From Simon Fraser, he was seconded for two years to be the first principal of the Open Learning Institute. John spoke throughout Canada on many educational topics that were of interest at the time. After his retirement, he became involved with CIDA and the Indonesian Open University as advisor to the Universitas Terbuka. He was a consultant in educational matters in Bangladesh, Norway, Cambodia and Thailand. After 10 years of consulting to Indonesia and Thailand, he performed his last educational service, where he was consultant and lead author in the planning of the University of Northern BC, for which he received an honorary doctor's degree. He was active in Save the Children Fund, Kiwanis, and St. Catherine's Church until his last illness. John is survived by his loving wife Gladys of 58 years, his two sons Norm (Pat), John (June) and three grandchildren Jana, Mark and Scott and also his two brothers David and Graham. He leaves nephews, cousins and nieces across Canada and the United States.

A memorial service will be held at St. Catherine's Anglican Church, 1058 Ridgewood Drive, North Vancouver, at 1:30 PM, on Friday, September 26, 2008 (http://saint-catherines.org/). No flowers by request.