Peter Ellis

Peter John Ellis, 64, of Akron, Ohio, passed away on June 30, 2025. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Keener (Akron, OH); daughter Amelia Ellis and her husband, Armando Cabrera (Torrington, CT); son Kyle Ellis (Brooklyn, NY); step-daughter, Cullin Arn (Brooklyn, NY); grandson, Mateo Cabrera (Torrington, CT); sister Kathy Ludwig and her husband John Ludwig (Wilton, CT); brother-in-law, Jeff Keener (Akron, OH); sister-in-law Marian DeVoe and her husband, Jim (Akron, OH); and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his father Dr. William T. Ellis, mother Edna Bierkan (née Murphy), brothers Mark and Billy, and sister Nancy.

Peter was born in Jamestown, NY on November 25, 1960, the youngest of five children. Peter attended Western Reserve, where he first met Liz, and Albion College, where he was a varsity lacrosse player and history major.

In 1989, he met the mother of his children, Susan Bryce (née Slaby), in Madison, CT. They married on June 8, 1990. Shortly after the birth of Amelia, Peter suffered a brain aneurysm and miraculously survived.

Upon reconnecting with his dear friend Liz ten years ago, he moved to Akron. They married on June 11, 2018. There, he built a beautiful life for himself, making the home of their dreams. Liz had Peter's heart until the very end.

Peter later became a grandfather to his first and only grandson, Mateo, in 2020. Peter took quickly to the role of Grandpa. He and Matty were two peas in a pod. Whenever Peter visited his grandson, Matty would fall asleep in his arms every night. His last visit was no different.

Peter's life is a testament to a man who overcame great challenges to forge a life of peace and gentleness. He expressed himself not through a fountain of words, but through the talents he possessed, the music he listened to, and the quality time he shared with those he loved. Peter was an incredibly skilled cabinet maker and remodeler and had a penchant for songs that reflected the deepest sorrows and deepest loves of the human soul.

He was and always will be dad, husband, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, and son. We will remember him for his wry expressions, self-deprecating humor, immense talent, and most importantly, his kind heart, now at rest and reunited with his brothers, sister, mother, and father.

Peter was deeply moved by the death of his brother Mark who passed away waiting for a liver transplant several years ago. Because of this, he became an organ donor. His liver and kidneys saved two lives. If you would like to make a donation in honor of Peter, please consider LifeBanc. LifeBanc is a non-profit organization based in Ohio that assists in organ donation and supports the families of organ donors and recipients. https://www.lifebanc.org/

A private service will be held at a later date. May his memory be eternal.