The Oregon Journal, Friday, December 16, 1966
Obituary: 'King of Gypsies' Dies In Portland
Frank Ellis, 61, known as the 'king' of Portland's Gypsies, died of pneumonia at 4:30 a.m. Friday at Good Samaritan Hospital.
He had been ill with pneumonia since Dec. 6, when he entered the hospital and had suffered a heart attack.
Ellis' people maintained a vigil at the hospital from the day he entered, and during the last week the Gypsy crowd there became so large they set up a mobile home nearby.
News that the king was dying brought more Gypsies from all over the city until the crowd numbered more than 100 persons at times.
Two members of the family sat outside the king's door and reported on his condition by walkie-talkie to a crowd in a third floor room specially set aside for them.
In Ellis' room two candles burned and other members of the family waited quietly.
The Gypsies were very orderly, a hospital spokesman said.
Many hospital personnel joined them in the hope their king would overcome the crisis.
Ellis, who lived at 859 NE 82nd Ave., was an auto wholesaler, bringing cars into the city from various parts of the country.
Surviving are three sons John, Jim, and Pete who worked with him in the business; two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Guy and Millie; five brothers, Mike, George, George Jr., Jack and Albert Ephrem, all of Portland; two sisters and several grandchildren.
A Gypsy Feast of the Dead is expected to draw Gypsies from all over the country. Ellis will be buried in Portland next week, a spokesman for the family said.
Obituary: 'King of Gypsies' Dies In Portland
Frank Ellis, 61, known as the 'king' of Portland's Gypsies, died of pneumonia at 4:30 a.m. Friday at Good Samaritan Hospital.
He had been ill with pneumonia since Dec. 6, when he entered the hospital and had suffered a heart attack.
Ellis' people maintained a vigil at the hospital from the day he entered, and during the last week the Gypsy crowd there became so large they set up a mobile home nearby.
News that the king was dying brought more Gypsies from all over the city until the crowd numbered more than 100 persons at times.
Two members of the family sat outside the king's door and reported on his condition by walkie-talkie to a crowd in a third floor room specially set aside for them.
In Ellis' room two candles burned and other members of the family waited quietly.
The Gypsies were very orderly, a hospital spokesman said.
Many hospital personnel joined them in the hope their king would overcome the crisis.
Ellis, who lived at 859 NE 82nd Ave., was an auto wholesaler, bringing cars into the city from various parts of the country.
Surviving are three sons John, Jim, and Pete who worked with him in the business; two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Guy and Millie; five brothers, Mike, George, George Jr., Jack and Albert Ephrem, all of Portland; two sisters and several grandchildren.
A Gypsy Feast of the Dead is expected to draw Gypsies from all over the country. Ellis will be buried in Portland next week, a spokesman for the family said.
The Oregon Journal, Friday, December 16, 1966
Obituary: 'King of Gypsies' Dies In Portland
Frank Ellis, 61, known as the 'king' of Portland's Gypsies, died of pneumonia at 4:30 a.m. Friday at Good Samaritan Hospital.
He had been ill with pneumonia since Dec. 6, when he entered the hospital and had suffered a heart attack.
Ellis' people maintained a vigil at the hospital from the day he entered, and during the last week the Gypsy crowd there became so large they set up a mobile home nearby.
News that the king was dying brought more Gypsies from all over the city until the crowd numbered more than 100 persons at times.
Two members of the family sat outside the king's door and reported on his condition by walkie-talkie to a crowd in a third floor room specially set aside for them.
In Ellis' room two candles burned and other members of the family waited quietly.
The Gypsies were very orderly, a hospital spokesman said.
Many hospital personnel joined them in the hope their king would overcome the crisis.
Ellis, who lived at 859 NE 82nd Ave., was an auto wholesaler, bringing cars into the city from various parts of the country.
Surviving are three sons John, Jim, and Pete who worked with him in the business; two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Guy and Millie; five brothers, Mike, George, George Jr., Jack and Albert Ephrem, all of Portland; two sisters and several grandchildren.
A Gypsy Feast of the Dead is expected to draw Gypsies from all over the country. Ellis will be buried in Portland next week, a spokesman for the family said.
Obituary: 'King of Gypsies' Dies In Portland
Frank Ellis, 61, known as the 'king' of Portland's Gypsies, died of pneumonia at 4:30 a.m. Friday at Good Samaritan Hospital.
He had been ill with pneumonia since Dec. 6, when he entered the hospital and had suffered a heart attack.
Ellis' people maintained a vigil at the hospital from the day he entered, and during the last week the Gypsy crowd there became so large they set up a mobile home nearby.
News that the king was dying brought more Gypsies from all over the city until the crowd numbered more than 100 persons at times.
Two members of the family sat outside the king's door and reported on his condition by walkie-talkie to a crowd in a third floor room specially set aside for them.
In Ellis' room two candles burned and other members of the family waited quietly.
The Gypsies were very orderly, a hospital spokesman said.
Many hospital personnel joined them in the hope their king would overcome the crisis.
Ellis, who lived at 859 NE 82nd Ave., was an auto wholesaler, bringing cars into the city from various parts of the country.
Surviving are three sons John, Jim, and Pete who worked with him in the business; two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Guy and Millie; five brothers, Mike, George, George Jr., Jack and Albert Ephrem, all of Portland; two sisters and several grandchildren.
A Gypsy Feast of the Dead is expected to draw Gypsies from all over the country. Ellis will be buried in Portland next week, a spokesman for the family said.
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