Helen Ellis, pays final respects to her late husband A Edward Ellis, former Executive Director of Bahamas Information Services, and family members look on during his Service of Celebration at St Agnes Anglican Church, Blue Hill Road on Saturday, June 14, 2014. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Government, the Public Service and Staff of Bahamas Information Services bade farewell to retired Executive Director A. Edward Ellis, during a Service of Celebration at St Agnes Anglican Church, Blue Hill Road on Saturday, June 14, 2014.

Amongst those present were: His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General; Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Philip Brave Davis; Minister of Tourism the Hon Obie Wilchcombe, who also paid tribute; and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Hon Alyson Maynard-Gibson, and Senior Government Officials.

The Officiant was Archdeacon I. Ranfurly Brown assisted by Rev Fr Neil G Nairn.

Mr. Ellis died June 3, 2014 at the Princess Margaret Hospital. He is survived by wife, Helen, daughter Jovanna, son, Julian and granddaughter Ashley,

A career public servant, Mr. Ellis served his country with distinction for some 42 years before retiring in March of 2014. During his career he was instrumental in the development of the communications arm of the government at the Bahamas Information Services (BIS), and the archiving of important legislative proceedings of the Parliament in his capacity as editor of The Hansard.

His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General attending the Service of Celebration for the Life of retired Executive Director A Edward Ellis of Bahamas Information Services, at St Agnes Anglican Church, Blue Hill Road on Saturday, June 14, 2014. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

Through the many incarnations of government information, Mr. Ellis’ contribution and professional work in communicating the works of the Bahamas government featured prominently.

Mr. Ellis was also revered as a very patriotic Bahamian and very disciplined; his standard of journalism was second to none.

Adolphus Edward Ellis was born on January 28, 1949 in Nassau. He was the eldest of five children born to Adolphus Edward (Duffy) I and Lois (Godet) Ellis. He attended George’s Anglican Pre-school, Eastern Junior and Senior Schools and St John’s College. In 1975 he was awarded an in-service award and studied journalism at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica.

Mr. Ellis’ contribution to communication included The Bahamas News Bureau, Bahamasair, and Editor of the Hansard.

Minister of Tourism, the Hon Obie Wilchcombe; and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Hon Alyson Maynard-Gibson at the Service of Celebration for the Life Of retired Executive Director A Edward Ellis, St Agnes Anglican Church, Blue Hill Road on Saturday, June 14, 2014. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

Staff members of Bahamas Information Services (BIS) attend the Service of Celebration for former Executive Director Edward Ellis, at St Agnes Anglican Church, Blue Hill Road on Saturday, June 14, 2014. Pictured back row are Lindsay Thompson, Marina Cleare and Alison Sargent. Pictured front row are Adrian Thompson, Anthony Capron, Llonella Gilbert (Ministry of Tourism), Virginia Bethel, and Greg Christie. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)