He was born Nov. 15, 1922, in New York City and attended Loomis Academy, Princeton, and the University of Virginia. He was a veteran of the Navy during World War II, serving as a gun air instructor from 1943 until being honorably discharged in 1946.

He married Marian Hart July 30, 1949, in New London, Conn. She died several weeks after his death. 

Ellison had a diverse early career that included positions with several major newspapers, IBM, Honeywell, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before he spent 20 years at Purdue University. At Purdue he served in several administrative roles with the school of engineering, where he won multiple awards for his public service and recruiting short films.

He was a member of the Virginia Press Association (VPA) and Council, CASA, and ASEE. He received the VPA’s top editorial award and other national film awards, the 1985 national TV public service award, the National Library Award, and a national award for television advertising spots. 

Ellison was predeceased by a daughter, Sarah; and son Peter. He is survived by his son Anthony and two grandchildren.