Geoffrey Ellacott, Banbury accountant, church and charity worker who took up bell-ringing at 84, has died aged 97.

Geoffrey Ellacott, founding partner of Banbury-based accountancy firm Ellacotts, has died aged 97.
Geoffrey Ellacott, founder of Ellacotts accountancy firm, who has died aged 97Geoffrey Ellacott, founder of Ellacotts accountancy firm, who has died aged 97
Geoffrey Ellacott, founder of Ellacotts accountancy firm, who has died aged 97

Outside his profession, he spent a lifetime working for the church and for local and national charities.

Born in Leeds in 1923 and moving to Banbury in 1933, Geoffrey Ellacott was educated at Magdalen College, Brackley, St Louis School, Banbury and All Saints School, Bloxham (now Bloxham School).

Leaving school in 1941, he joined the 35th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery as a gunner before transferring to the newly formed 655 Air Observation Post Squadron.

After the war, during which he served in Italy and the Middle East, Mr Ellacott embarked on a career as a chartered accountant. In 1953 he set up his own business which became Ellacott Stranks and Co when Moreton Stranks joined as a partner ten years later.

Mr Ellacott retired from the firm - since renamed Ellacotts - in December 1993 shortly after the death of his first wife, Jean. In 1997, he married his second wife Rosamund.

Throughout his life Geoffrey Ellacott had a strong association with the church in Banbury, Bloxham and nearby villages. He was appointed Honorary Treasurer of St Mary’s, Banbury, in 1954 and served as Deddington Deanery Treasurer between 1957 - 2007.

In 2007, at the age of 84, he took up bell ringing at St Mary’s Church, Bloxham.

His strong community spirit was reflected in his support for local and national charities including membership of fundraising committees for St John’s RC Church in Banbury and the Brodey Centre at the Horton Hospital. He ran the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) collection in Bloxham for many years and helped with Red Cross and Christian Aid collections in the village.

Mr Ellacott was also passionately interested in local history and was a member of Banbury Historical Society since its foundation in 1957 as well as being an honorary life member of Banbury Fine Arts Society. He also spent a stint as a National Trust steward at Farnborough Hall.

He will be dearly missed by his widow, Rosamund, her two sons and grandchildren and his two nephews and their families.

Related topics: