Volunteer Ellis McFadden loads up boxes of books headed for storage in this 2012 file photo. ( Andy Cross, The Denver Post )
Coloradans are mourning the death of Ellis McFadden, a tireless volunteer and eternal optimist who died Sunday after battling esophageal cancer.
Former Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, wrote on his Facebook page: “So sad to hear of the passing of Ellis McFadden. He was an amazing man who did so much for the lgbt community and all of Colorado. He was a tireless advocate and worker on behalf of causes he believed in. The community has lost a great community activist who always had a smile on his face.”
Services are pending.
McFadden received a proclamation from the governor declaring July 2 “Ellis McFadden Day” and the 70th General Assembly gave him a commendation for his tireless volunteerism to Project Angel Heart, as a Capitol tour guide and for canvassing for innumerable campaigns.
According to papers McFadden donated to the Denver Public Library, he was born on Aug. 24, 1949 in Denver. He graduated in 1972 from Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado, where he majored in American history. Immediately after school he began working at Western Mountain Bell. In the early 1980s, McFadden started his volunteer career after he witnessed a friend and co-worker cope with AIDS and eventually die.
After McFadden’s death, a number of politicos posted on their Facebook pages that McFadden had walked with them, supported them and was a true friend.
“I am heartbroken to hear about the loss of Ellis McFadden,” wrote Senate Minority Leader Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora. “I can’t begin to picture our community without him. Feeling sad.”
The Colorado Democratic Party in 2013 honored McEllis at the for his volunteer efforts. A year earlier, he received Out Front’s Lifetime Achievement Power Award for his decades of dedication to his community.
The General Assembly proclamation (thanks Aaron Silverstein):
STATE OF COLORADO
The Senate and the House of Representatives Convened in the First Regular Session of the Seventeenth General Assembly Hereby extend heartiest congratulations and commendation to
ELLIS MCFADDEN
In recognition of his vast knowledge of the Capitol and his passion for sharing those stories, facts, legends, and secret rose onyx figures with anyone who passed through the Capitol’s doors, for his service to democracy and commitment to Colorado’s past and future and for his overall spirit of volunteerism
On Request of Senator Andy Kerr, Senator Cheri Jahn, Senator Pat Steadman and Representative Max Tyler, Given this 2nd day of July 2015, State Capitol, Denver, Colorado
Bill L. Cadman: President of the Senate
Dickie Lee Hullinghorst: Speaker of the House of Representatives
And the proclamation from Gov. John Hickenlooper:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Denver native Ellis McFadden committed his life to sharing his love and helping those in need; and
WHEREAS, from his early work with the Colorado AIDS Project, he constantly fought misinformation and shed light on those affected by the disease; and
WHEREAS, he is an unwavering champion for equality in the LGBT community; and
WHEREAS, his time with Project Angel Heart, the Colorado Initiatives Project, and the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus proved his devotion to feeding the sick and supporting those in the shadows; and
WHEREAS, his donation of the Ellis McFadden Papers has ensured that future generations will always remember the journey of the LGBT community in Colorado; and
WHEREAS, Ellis McFadden inspires the State of Colorado through his life of volunteer service and reminds us all that we should not only do more, but also strive to be more;
Therefore, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the entire State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim forever after, July 2, 2015, as ELLIS B. MCFADDEN DAY in the State of Colorado.
GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this second day of July, 2015
John W. Hickenlooper
Governor
