Skip Ellsworth, 1939-2008
My good friend Skip Ellsworth died on August 6th. We were friends, business partners and, more recently brothers-in-law. Skip was married to Belle, and I married her sister Amy.
The funeral practices in the Philippines are very unusual, at least compared to the way we are used to doing it in the states. All in the same day the body was embalmed, dressed, put into a coffin and delivered by the funeral home back to Skip’s resort. There the body lies in wait for approximately 9 days for a prayer ritual. After that will be the “official” funeral and then burial.
During the nine day prayer ritual, the family avoids cooking fried foods, sweeping the floor, combing their hair, and a few other things that I don’t understand. There are certain members of the family who aren’t even supposed to take showers. All of this is in 90-100f degree weather. In addition, this is the time when friends and family come to visit, drink coffee and play board games like chess. Oh, by the way, this is a 24-hour-per-day routine — according to tradition someone must be awake around the clock to look after the body until the burial.
Anyway, Skip will be missed by everyone who knew him. I believe the vigil will be going until at least August 14th if you would like to stop by for coffee and chess. (I told you it was unusual).
August 12th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Hey Steve, this is Paul Bax. You and I spoke on the phone a couple weeks ago when I called for Skip. I visited him back in May. I am so sad to hear about his passing. He and I have stayed in touch via email for years now and he has been a great friend, brother and adopted father. Please keep me updated on the family and resort and if there is anything I can do to help in anyway, please let me know via email at: pauljbax@aol.com.
I have also added an announcement to my website: http://www.thejkdbrotherhood.com.
My love to everyone Belle, Chip and Flip and the rest of the extended family…
Paul Bax
September 21st, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I knew Skip, he was a customer of a computer shop I used to work with… He told us about his advetures with Bruce Lee and it was fun… Sad to hear he passed away… Please send my sincere condolences to his family and friends…
October 8th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
My father was Ed Hart, Bruce Lee’s second student. I know Skip as my uncle, he was my father’s brother in every sense of the word. I only heard about his passing today. I do hope Belle, Chip and Skip will be able to carry onthe resort. Uncle Skip’s greatest joy was his family. Wherever you are Uncle, I am sure my father is there too. I love you and will try to ensure that your family in the Philippines is okay.
Love always, Your niece, Lori and great nephew Ronnie Hart
October 18th, 2008 at 5:00 am
Steve, I just learned of Skips passing. My brother David Doxtater worked with Skips back in the 80’s building and helping Skip with the log cabin classes. David lived on the property with his wife in a tee pee. I have sent David the link to Skips resort site along with this sad news.
Tim Doxtater
October 18th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Hi Tim,
Yep, your brother was a great friend of Skip’s. Skip even named a room after your brother (The Doxtater Room) and it is still in use to this day in Skip’s big house. Thanks for passing on the word to him.
-Steve
December 1st, 2008 at 7:56 am
Lori, please shoot me an email when you can: pauljbax@yahoo.com.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Hey,
My name is TC. I just graduated from college. Skip was such a nice older fellow. He was my friend… we used to e-mail back and forth about Bruce Lee (my childhood hero), politics, and his beautiful family, and my future plans of becoming a medical physician. I had a tough last couple of years and totally lost base with a lot of people, including Skip–and with great sadness, I just discovered that he passed away and I didn’t even know or get to go to the funeral.
May his memory live on. Someday I hope to do something special for his family.
With much love and respect,
Theresa
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:09 am
Skip was a first cousin to me and my brothers. He was a favorite (years older) cousin, especially for the suspenseful and intriguing stories he would tell at our bedtime… always in a darkened room. Years later, as an 18-year-old, I visited Skip at his Frat house at the U of W. At that time he was immersed in his martial arts training, complete with wicker ’striking pads’ near the door to his room… where he would throw punches to toughen his fists. One of those nights we sat on the roof of the Frat house - all night, attempting to counter the anticipated arrival of evil-doers… I never fully understood the complete who or why. It didn’t matter. If it was good enough for cousin skip, it was good enough for me. I regret that in later years Skip and I had each changed in ways that encouraged separation, not closeness. In that, I accept my full role. I have enjoyed reading the replies of his many friends and thank my brother Robert for guiding me to this site.