PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Northern Light AR Gould Hospital will be holding a brief presentation to celebrate Phineas Ellis, who played a key role in the hospital’s history, as well as to recognize a long-standing collaboration with the Presque Isle Historical Society at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29.
“We’re excited to celebrate the family and history of Phineas Ellis,” says Linda Menard, who is the coordinator of the event. “He had such a large role to play in the history of both our hospital and the community. It’s also a nice connection that two of his grandchildren work for us and have for many years.”
Ellis was a farmer who was always civic-minded, according to his granddaughter Stephanie Budreau, who is the contract specialist at the hospital. “He was always looked at as a community leader.”
That leadership skill and community respect eventually led him to becoming the town manager and later a state legislator, recall his granddaughter Regina Craig, who officially retired from her role in the hospital’s sleep clinic, but still works part-time as a sitter for patients who need extra one-on-one attention.
“When there was talk about expanding the old hospital [where City Hall is now], it was Grampy who said they shouldn’t expand but instead should buy land and build a new hospital,” explains Budreau. “He was the hospital administrator for about five years, leading the transition from Second Street to our current location.”
Ellis was also well known as a public speaker and was often invited to speak at local meetings and high school classrooms sharing his experiences. He was faithful in recording his life stories, as well as experiences, often reaching out to others to ensure the accuracy of his recollection and it was his dream to publish an autobiography. His daughter Elaine Ellis Hotham worked closely with her dad toward this goal although sadly the book was not published until a few years after his death.
“I recall a Smith Corona on our dining room table for many months where Mom would take Phin’s handwritten notes, and stories, turning them into the autobiography ‘Call Me Phin’. It was a multi-year labor of love,” says Budreau.
But what an amazing legacy for the family! The book covers stories about the family and farm, his work with Dr. Hagerthy of Ashland, his political career, the hospital and much more – including the lynching of Jim Cullen.
“It’s important that we remember the past – the struggles and what can be accomplished, how we got to where we are today,” says Craig.
It is that importance of history that has led to a long-standing collaboration between the hospital and the Presque Isle Historical Society, which will also be recognized at the event on April 29.
“Kim Smith has been providing historical displays for the case in our conference center since it opened a little over 10 years ago,” says Menard. “She changes up the display every few months. We so appreciate her efforts in sharing a little bit of history on an ongoing basis for our staff and visitors.”
According to Smith, the historical society has never duplicated a display and has done 45 exhibits to date.
The current display features Phineas Ellis and will be showcased for the next three months.
“We invite members of the public to join us on April 29 to learn a little more about Phineas Ellis as we celebrate him and his family,” says Menard. “And if you can’t come that day, feel free to stop in someday over the next few months to check out the display in honor of this gentleman who played such a significant role in our history.”
