Peter F. Ellis, S.S.L., professor emeritus of biblical studies in the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education (GRE), died on Dec. 21 in Laconia, N.Y. at age 88.
Ellis was a member of the GRE faculty from 1968 until his retirement in 1988. He was a recipient of the University’s Bene Merenti medal in honor of 20 years of teaching at Fordham. In that 1988 citation, Ellis was recognized for having taught scripture to nearly all of the GRE’s 1,500 graduates.
In 2006, Ellis also received GRE’s inaugural Sapientia et Doctrina award for his longstanding service to the school.
“Peter Ellis was an outstanding scripture scholar and one of the founding faculty members in GRE,” said John Elias, Ed.D., professor of religious education and social ministry at GRE. “He inspired a generation of students with a love of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Many graduates of the school are indebted to him for his clear and inspiring lectures.”
An expert in sacred scripture, Ellis published nine books, numerous articles and book reviews as well as several contributions to scriptural reference books. During his lengthy career, he lectured in Hawaii, Panama, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Ireland, Belgium, Germany and across the United States and Canada.
He held a degree in sacred scripture from the Biblical Institute in Rome, and a licentiate of sacred theology from Angelicum (Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas) in Rome. He was a member of several biblical societies.
Ellis is survived by his wife, Judith Ann (Monahan) Ellis, of Laconia and two sons, Eric Ellis of Manchester, N.H. and Marc Ellis of Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
