Mr. Leslie Ellis, 78, father of  comedian Owen Blakka Ellis, died last Wednesday evening in Toronto ‘s Sunnybrook Hospital after a short battle with cancer.

Mr Ellis, who had lived in Toronto for more than four decades, was a  retired tailor, designer, singer & songwriter and sang with the group Alton & the Flames led by younger brother, the late Alton Ellis. Sister Hortense Ellis,  another  noted singer, also predeceased  him.

Apart  from Blakka, Mr. Ellis was  also the father of entertainers Ian “Ity” Ellis, one half of the comedy duo Ity & Fancy Cat; Aston ‘Robot” Ellis, a steel drum player and former bass player with Jimmy Cliff’s Oneness Band; Toronto radio personality Charlyn Ellis; and  Junior Ellis, another musician, among five other children.

The Funeral Service for Mr Leslie Ellis will take place on Thursday June 7, 2012 in Toronto. It will be preceded by a viewing 9Am, with the service at 11am, Oakwood Baptist Church 421 Oakwood Avenue, Toronto, Ont M6E 2W1. Burial will follow  at Elgin Mills Cemetery and Crematorium 1591 Elgin Mills Rd East Richmond Hill, On L4S 1M9.