Paul McDonald Ellis

Our beloved Paul McDonald Ellis, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, colleague, and friend has transitioned. Paul passed away in Florida on Thursday, August 8th, 2020 unexpectedly as a result of COVID-19. Brooklyn, New York bred, Paul was the son of Frederick and Lucille Ellis, and older brother to Diane. It was in New York City where Paul attended the distinguished Music and Art High School, where his penchant for music truly began to thrive. A fabulous trumpet player and singer, he was most passionate about singing. So astounding was his voice that Paul was afforded numerous opportunities to perform throughout New York State as a member of multiple choirs, in between hanging out with his childhood friends since second grade, Lawrence Salley and Joseph Montoute. Upon graduation from high school, Paul began his working career with Canadian Imperial Bank, where he worked for several years. In 1970, Paul married Cynthia Joyner, who had his only child, a beautiful, baby girl named Tori Michelle. In the years that followed, he went to work for his father-in-law David Blaine at Blaine Electric in Brooklyn, New York, where he learned the ins and outs of the electrical supply business. But from a young age Paul showed an outstanding capacity for business and always wanted to be an entrepreneur. So it came as no surprise when he turned this opportunity into a long-standing career as a business owner, first at Urban Electric Supply Company. During these years, Paul's work preceded him and he was celebrated by his peers for outfitting The Jacob Javits Center and the Triboro Bridge in New York City. Later, he opened the more notable, Brooklyn Electrical Supply at 185 Rogers Avenue in Crown Heights. Paul excelled in this space and was well known to many as a consummate executive, often the leading Black man in the industries he conquered. And after a 20 year partnership in love and business that began in 1988, Paul married the love of his life, Marie Sylvain in 2008. Together they launched businesses like Millennium Electric and Exclusive Beauty Salon, while raising Marie's two beautiful daughters Amy and Thania (Keesha), and her niece Shemika, in Baldwin Harbor. A man of great character, Paul unequivocally led by example, often using his personal moments of excellence to open the door for others who grew as a result of his mentorship. Humble, strong, loving, creative, and passionate are just a few words to describe Paul, the man. For those who knew him personally, he had a true thirst for adventure and exploring. So trips to newly discovered locales always topped his list, and road trips by car, and even via his boat, were plentiful. In the community, he was a tremendous force: at Second Baptist Church, he was an usher and sang in the choir; in the neighborhood, he was an inspiration, making the unreachable a tangible reality for many young and old. In his later years, Paul reserved his energy for his family, close friends, and forging new paths within the green industry, focusing on environmental goods and energy services as the CEO of Global Fuel. Exceptional in a way that cannot be contained, but was deeply felt and will forever be remembered, Paul will be missed dearly. Though he is no longer with us on the physical plane, his optimistic spirit will live on in all that knew and loved him. Paul leaves to cherish his precious memories, his wife Marie; his ex-wife Cynthia, daughter Tori, and grandchild Rylee; his sister Diane and her family; stepdaughters Amy, Thania (Keesha), and Shemika, and their children; numerous friends, colleagues, church family, and neighbors. Paul McDonald Ellis was born on July 21, 1947.

Paul McDonald Ellis

July 21, 1947 - August 8, 2020