Joseph Ellovich passed away, surrounded by his family, on May 12, 2025, at Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vt. He was born in 1929 to Philip and Miriam Ellovich in Sharon, Pa. His family includes children Susan (Floyd) Fay and Wendel (Julia) Foerster; grandchildren Claire (Joel) Feldman Visser, Gustave (Jacqueline) Feldman, Jessica Fay, Joshua Fay, Magdeline (Peter) Hume and Georgia (Troy) Hume; eight great-grandchildren; sister Marcia Frumerman; and nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents’ passing, Joe mourned the loss of his beloved wife, Betty; his sister Rosa Parfrey; brothers-in-law Woodrow Parfrey and Robert Frumerman; and nephew Adam Parfrey.
Joe graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1951. After serving aboard the USS Wasp as a communications officer during the Korean War, he was transferred to the Naval Station Green Cove Springs Florida, where he served as communications officer, officer-in-charge of the Officers Club and basketball coach. It was during that time that he met Betty, and they were married in Jacksonville, Fla., where they lived until moving to Vermont in 1985.
After working in sales for Moore Business Forms and serving as manager for King Sales, Joe founded the Parts House in 1970. He sold the Parts House in 1984.
Along with Betty, Joe found great joy in his retirement in Vermont, spending quality time with grandchildren Claire and Gus. He also assisted Betty with her antiques business, doing shows in New England and New York.
Joe believed in serving worthy endeavors. He served on the boards of Parent/Child Center of Addison County and Howard Center. He was a supporter of the ACLU, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and other organizations. In college, prior to the Civil Rights Movement, he organized with his peers to desegregate restaurants.
Joe was notably sociable, striking up conversations with whomever he encountered. Joe was a loving and generous husband, father and grandfather. He remained interested and involved in the lives of his family and was always available to offer support and guidance. His surviving family misses him dearly.
Joe requested that no service be held after his death, but family and friends recall the times and experiences they shared with him. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that those wishing to express sympathy make a donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center in the name of Joseph Ellovich. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.
This article appears in May 14-20, 2025.