On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Daniel Preston Ellis completed his beautiful and exceptionally well-done job here on Earth. As his golden heart stopped beating and his wings took flight, Dan found eternal peace as he was surrounded by and embraced in the immense love of his family.
Daniel was a man of great courage, grace and strength. He took all things in stride and looked at them as opportunities to lead by example. He never asked why something was happening to him but instead asked in what ways he could adapt and get back out there to keep living life full steam ahead. He had a great curiosity for life and all it had to offer him. Time was too valuable to Dan to waste on worry, fear and anger. He captured everyone he met with a flash of his smile and his never-lacking, quick and effortless sense of humor.
Dan believed in working hard and living a life one could reflect on with great joy and a content heart. He spent his professional years caring for others as a physical therapist after earning his DPT from the University of Vermont. He helped so many people return to their life’s passions and provided endless amounts of laughter, friendship and country music along the way. After all, he was a small-town boy at heart, born and raised in Orwell, Vt. He loved anything that gave him a reason to be outside, but some of his favorite activities were hunting, maple sugaring, cycling, hiking, running, swimming, and exploring and adventuring with his two beloved dogs, Mildred and Koda. He was also a talented horseman and carpool karaoke singer.
Daniel was preceded in his heavenly journey by his grandfathers, Earl Ellis and Charles Eddy, and his aunt, Catherine Anne Eddy. Daniel is survived by the “greatest parents a kid could have ever asked for,” Michael and Nell Ellis; his older brother, Michael Ellis Jr.; and his dearest love and wife, Nicole Morse-Ellis. Additionally, Daniel is survived by his grandmothers, Joan Ellis and Mary Anne Eddy, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Daniel would ask that you consider making a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help others with blood cancers have more good days doing the things they love with those they love. Further, he would ask that you not worry about monetary gifts and instead consider giving life to others by donating platelets and blood at your local blood donation centers.
A celebration of life for Dan will be held Thursday, March 27, 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church of Orwell, 464 Main St., Orwell, VT. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 26, 5 to 7 p.m. at Ready Funeral & Cremation Service, Mountain View Chapel, 68 Pinecrest Dr., Essex Junction, VT.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services, Mountain View Chapel. To send online condolences to the family, please visit readyfuneral.com.
This article appears in Mar 19-25, 2025.