In the name of the judge

Courthouse dedicated in honor of William N. Ellison

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 24 -- They turned out in force -- the late Judge William N. Ellison's friends, colleagues and family -- for the dedication Friday of the Schuyler County Courthouse in Watkins Glen under its new name: the Honorable William N. Ellison Schuyler County Courthouse.

There were about 150 people present on the lawn fronting the courthouse along Franklin Street, standing in an intermittent drizzle, listening to a parade of speakers extoll the virtues of the judge -- the only Schuyler County attorney ever to rise to the lofty level of State Supreme Court judge. And the only one to have a courthouse named after him.

His name had earlier -- upon his retirement -- been affixed to the courtroom in the courthouse, a fact that he deeply appreciated. Efforts back then to get his name to encompass the entire complex were fruitless, since such honors are normally reserved for those who have completed their lives. Now, six months to the day after Judge Ellison's passing, his name adorns the front of the courthouse, on a 14-feet-long, 30-inches high sign above the front porch.

It was, each of the several speakers at the dedication ceremony attested, an honor well deserved.

Speakers included the emcee, County Legislator and County GOP chief Phil Barnes, Legislature Chairman Dennis Fagan, District Attorney Joe Fazzary, State Senator Tom O'Mara, Sixth Judicial District Administrative Judge Robert C. Mulvey, Corning Community College President Dr. Katherine P. Douglas, and Harry Ellison, son of Judge Ellison and of Patricia Suits Ellison. Present in the front row, observing it all, was the matriarch, Mrs. Ellison. Other family members -- children and grandchildren -- were nearby.

Other dignitaries on hand included Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton, former Mayor Judy Phillips, Legislators Stewart Field and Tom Gifford, Chemung County District Attorney Weeden Wetmore. and former Schuyler County Sheriff Michael Maloney.

Barnes welcomed everyone, and introduced Father Paul Bonacci, who delivered an opening prayer. Then it was Fagan's turn, and he recounted the litany of Ellison achievements, a list that included involvement in -- and leadership of -- many civic endeavors in addition to his roles as attorney, district attorney, county judge and Supreme Court judge.

"He was an institution in legal circles," said Fagan, who concluded his outline of Ellison's life by turning toward the Ellison family and saying: "Thank you for sharing your husband, father and grandfather with Schuyler County. How fitting it is to acknowledge all of his many accomplishments by naming the courthouse in his honor."

Senator O'Mara said his family and the Ellisons went way back, so he knew from long history that Judge Ellison took "common-sense wisdom and wit" into the courtroom, imparting justice fairly. "We can share our thanks that we had this great man in our lives."

Fazzary said Ellison was "judge, mentor and friend," and that "no one is more deserving of this honor than he is. Most of us can't even hold a candle to what Judge Ellison did. He was firm and fair, and respected by every lawyer who appeared before him." Fazzary also noted that Ellison had a key role in establishment of the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy, "which has trained thousands of young law enforcement officers." And he noted the judge's longtime role as head of the Northrup Foundation, "where he handed out thousands of dollars" in scholarships to students.

"He had a passion for this community," said Fazzary, "and it will be my privilege on Monday to walk into the courthouse named after Judge Ellison, my mentor, my friend, my judge."

Judge Mulvey, a longtime "friend and admirer of Judge Ellison," said the honoree was "a mentor and role model when I took the bench. He had a style and bearing" that assured fairness. Naming the building in his honor "is a fitting tribute to him."

Dr. Douglas said that being a recent arrival to Schuyler County, she never had occasion to meet the judge, "but I know of him through his legacy. People speak of him with great honor. His community service stands tall." Such service, she added, "is a most ennobling practice. I know that when I enter the courthouse I will be entering a noble place."

Harry Ellison said that "putting Dad's name on the courthouse is a dream come true" -- that his father was deserving "for all the service he provided to Schuyler County. It is fitting, because here the people of Schuyler County came to find justice," and his father "devoted his life" to helping them achieve that end.

He thanked Tony Vickio for creation of the sign, a labor that took the signmaker three days to complete. It is aluminum, with adhesive-backed vinyl letters. It was covered through most of the ceremony by a sheet affixed to lines tied around the base of the courthouse porch's columns. Those were untied and released by grandchildren of the judge, unveiling the sign above and its words: Hon. William N. Ellison Schuyler County Courthouse.

Harry Ellison closed by saying the Ellison family "has come together to say thank you for remembering Dad," a man who worked tirelessly "his entire life for the community he loved so much."

Photos in text:

Top: Patricia Ellison, widow of Judge William N. Ellison, beneath the sign unveiled at Friday's courthouse ceremony.

Second: The Ellison family members pose in front of the courthouse.

Bottom: District Attorney Joe Fazzary addresses the crowd.

Left: Patricia Ellison and State Senator Tom O'Mara. Right: Harry Ellison

From left: CCC President Dr. Katherine P. Douglas, Legislature Chairman Dennis Fagan, and signmaker Tony Vickio.

The sign hangs above the porch in front of the courthouse building