OBITUARY

Ellis Clarke (1955-85)   1929-2011

Last Headmaster of the Liverpool Collegiate School

and President of the Collegiate Old Boys` Association

Members of the Association will be sad to learn that Ellis Clarke died on the 3^rd March last, after a short illness.

A lovely man and fondly remembered by those who were pupils at the Collegiate during his teaching time there and by those who knew him as President of the Old Boys` Association.

Educated at Wade Deacon Grammar School. he read French at Liverpool University, spending a year in France teaching English as a foreign language. He played rugby union for Rouanne during his time in France.

Following a year as a teacher at Sandbach School, he was appointed in 1955 as a master at the Liverpool Collegiate, teaching languages and classics. He was also much involved in coaching rugby and cricket – no doubt many Old Boys will recall how much they benefitted from his teaching and coaching.

Appointed Vice Principal in 1973 and Headmaster in 1975, he remained as Headmaster until his retirement in 1985, when the School closed.

Many of us became more acquainted with Ellis following his appointment as President of the Association, being a role in which he took much pride. We are very indebted to him for the support and interest he took in the affairs of the Association, attending the Annual Dinner each year and presiding over our AGM. 

Ellis married Netta in 1954, and we very pleased that she accompanied him each year at the Annual Remembrance Day Service on the 11^th November in the School Building in Shaw Street. A charming lady whose presence we will miss very much. She was with him when he unveiled a plaque on the 19^th November, 2003, in the Entrance Hall, commemorating the Liverpool Collegiate Institution.  A photograph of them both on this occasion is shown below.

A number of Old Boys attended the funeral service of Ellis, which was held on the 16^th March, 2011, at St. Mary-without-the- Walls Church, Chester.

In memory of Ellis, the Association has made a donation of £100 to Macmillan Cancer Support.

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