David Lee "Dave" Ellison

Ellison, David "Dave" Lee
GLENMONT - David "Dave" Lee Ellison died January 5, 2024, at his home, in Glenmont, N.Y. He was born July 10, 1934, to Earle B. Ellison and Ione Benson Ellison, in Ogdensburg, N.Y. He married Carolyn Lee Olsen February 12, 1984, in Albany, N.Y. Dave graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy in 1952, and from Cornell University in 1957. He earned his B.D. from Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 1961. In 1965, he completed his Ph. D. in Sociology from Purdue University. Dave was a Sociology professor for 35 years, from 1964-1972, at the University of Pittsburgh; and from 1972-1999, at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, N.Y. In 1986, while on sabbatical in Vellore, South India, he taught social science research methods to medical students at Christian Medical College.
After retirement in 1999, Dave's passion was working with wood, making furniture for his and his children's homes. His cutting boards made from leftover scraps and his trivets made with wine corks were popular gifts. He was a member of the Northeast Woodworkers' Association and enjoyed volunteering at their annual show. His other great love was the Adirondacks, especially his camp on Middle Saranac Lake.
A kind, friendly man with a keen sense of humor, Dave was always interested in getting to know people and hear about their lives. He enjoyed using his skills to help others. He was inventive when it came to building and fixing things, and he could fix practically anything. Friends have also described him as intelligent, curious, a good listener, and a philosopher. Reminiscing one day, Dave observed that he had always lived on a great river: the St. Lawrence, the Ohio, and the Hudson. He had a full and complete life, and he will be dearly missed.
Dave is survived by his wife, Carolyn; four children from a previous marriage, David L. (Judit Barta) Ellison, Jr., Martha (Bryan) Wermers, Mark Ellison, and Andrea L. Ellison; stepdaughter, Evelyn L. Wright; his sister, Jean Ellison; his niece, Susan (Robert) Conyers; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents; his nephew, Michael; niece, Lynn Marie; and brother, Richard Ellison.
As he wished, there will be no public service. Contributions in his memory can be sent to Protect the Adirondacks, PO Box 48, North Creek, N.Y. 12853.