Obituary of Christopher Ellithorpe
CLAVERACK –
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Christopher Ellithorpe, 60, of Claverack, who departed this life, at his home on May 11, 2025, with his devoted family by his side after a courageous battle with illness.
Chris was a graduate of Taconic Hills High School class of 1983 and for the majority of his adult career he worked as a welder and steel fabricator.
Chris leaves behind his devoted wife, Jo-An Wright Ellithorpe whom he married on September 3, 2005 at Singer Castle on Dark Island Chippewa Bay, NY; His children: Alyssa Ellithorpe, Jeremy Ellithorpe (Heather), bonus children Hailey Ljungqvist, Kelsey Washburn, His grandchildren: Gabriel, Jade, Damian step granddaughter Audrina and bonus grandchildren Bennett, Jonah and Blake, his siblings: Rebecca Scheriff (Thomas), Lynda Nielsen (Michael), step brother Richard Reno (Natalie), step sister Cindy Kozel (Dan), Tammy Reno (Craig) and Wendy Shufelt, each of whom carries a piece of his spirit- his grit, his strength, his strong will, his love of rock and roll and his ability to savor the good times.
Chris leaves behind his devoted wife, Jo-An Wright Ellithorpe whom he married on September 3, 2005 at Singer Castle on Dark Island Chippewa Bay, NY; His children: Alyssa Ellithorpe, Jeremy Ellithorpe (Heather), bonus children Hailey Ljungqvist, Kelsey Washburn, His grandchildren: Gabriel, Jade, Damian step granddaughter Audrina and bonus grandchildren Bennett, Jonah and Blake, his siblings: Rebecca Scheriff (Thomas), Lynda Nielsen (Michael), step brother Richard Reno (Natalie), step sister Cindy Kozel (Dan), Tammy Reno (Craig) and Wendy Shufelt, each of whom carries a piece of his spirit- his grit, his strength, his strong will, his love of rock and roll and his ability to savor the good times.
Christopher was predeceased in death by his mother, Susan Reno, his step father Richard Reno, and his father Thomas Ellithorpe.
A true outdoorsman at heart, Chris found his greatest joy in the simple things—early mornings in the woods, a line cast into a quiet lake, and the thrill of the open water with the hum of a boat engine beneath him. Chris had a deep love for hunting and fishing, and his stories- some tall, some true- will live on in the campfires and conversations for years to come. Chris was an active member of the Hook Boat Club in Stuyvesant where he enjoyed many years at his camp on the River where you could always find him with a cold beer in hand.
Chris loved his wife and family fiercely and was deeply proud of his grandchildren, who brought him immeasurable joy.
Chris taught us to celebrate the small moments, never take ourselves too seriously and to always turn the volume up when a great song comes on. His absence will be deeply felt but his memory will echo on in stories and in every rock and roll song that brings a smile with the remembrance of him singing it.
Though our hearts are heavy we find comfort in knowing that Chris has found peace- as he climbs the legendary ’Stairway to Heaven'.
To honor Chris’s wishes the family will not be holding a public ceremony. Instead, we invite those who knew and loved him to remember him in their own way. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Ellithorpe Family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com
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