Christopher John Ellison

Christopher John Ellison, 48

Christopher John Ellison of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at AdventHealth Lake Wales.

He was born September 28, 1974 in London, Ontario, Canada to John and Margaret Ellison; he moved to Lake Wales from Ruskin this past October. Christopher was a manager for Asplundh Tree Company and was of the Catholic faith.

Chris attended Cathedral Boy’s High School in Hamilton, Ontario and was a member of the varsity basketball team for four years. He then went on to graduate from the University of Toronto in 1997 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Chris was also a member of The University of Toronto Varsity Blues Men’s Basketball team from 1993-1995.

Christopher greatly enjoyed watching documentaries about universal mysteries, aliens, ghosts, the supernatural, and the unexplainable. He would watch them with his eldest daughter Oriana. Together they would love to try to find answers to the unexplainable mystery.

Christopher loved to create with his girls. Cali and Christopher built a ten-foot-tall wooden teepee in their backyard. He loved animals and walking his dogs in the woods.

Christopher felt very connected to the ocean and its energy. He saw God’s hand in the peace he found there. He loved time at the beach helping Camila swim and searching for shells with Beya.

His passion for painting was reflected on the walls of his home. His other passion was music. He spent hours creating melodies with meaningful thoughts.

Christopher loved the countryside and found his dream home with Maria. He spent evenings outside enjoying the open space and starry skies.

Christopher is survived by his wife of 15 years, Maria Elena Rodriguez-Ellison; daughters, Oriana Ellison of Lake Wales, Cali Ellison of Lake Wales, Beya Ellison of Lake Wales, and Camila Ellison of Lake Wales; parents, John and Margaret Ellison of Riverview; sisters, Justine Ellison-Sharp and husband Derrick of Riverview, and Rachel Ellison-Lewis and husband Fred of Riverview; and brother, Michael Ellison and wife Toya of Riverview.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2023 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2023 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales. The family invites everyone to attend a reception back at Marion Nelson Funeral Home following the service, from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.