Dedham Resident, Co-Founder Of Building #19 Dead

DEDHAM, MA — If your looking to pay tribute to the late owner of Building #19, perhaps find a great bargain. That might be the best way to remember the man always looking to sell good stuff for cheap.

Gerald Elovitz, better known as Jerry Ellis, died Saturday at his Dedham homeat the age of 90. He was the co-founder of the locally famous chain of discount stores that spanned across New England until their closure in 2013.

Ellis was born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. Following time in the U.S. Army and a deployment to Italy, Ellis and Harry Andler opened the first Building #19 in the Hingham Shipyard as a place for companies to distribute surplus goods, salvaged items, and other discounted merchandise.

" We sell everything from handmade oriental rugs to our own brand of baby wipes, as well as surplus and salvage goods, overstocks, closeouts and irregulars. Browse our stores for the lowest prices in New England on food, furniture, giftware, housewares, clothing, shoes, rugs, domestics, mattresses and more," the now-defunct Building #19 website read.

In 1971, the company saw opportunity when windows started to fall out of the John Hancock Building, purchasing the panels that were scheduled to be installed.

The company was also known for their weekly ads that included caricatures of Ellis, written by the man himself, and a champagne known as Chateau du Cheapo that was awarded to customers who found a competitor that could beat their low prices.

In late 2013, with business on the decline for a decade, Building #19 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Ellis served as the president of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and funded many causes including the Jewish National Fund, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Jewish Family & Children's Service, Israel Bonds, Hebrew Rehab, and the Building #19 Foundation, according to his obituary.

He leaves behind his wife of 69 years Elaine Glaubinger; children Linda Elovitz Marshall (Dr. Robert Marshall), Bill Elovitz (Debra Calvi Elovitz), and Judi Elovitz (Norman Greenberg); grandchildren Dena Marshall (Judah Markel), Dr. Jonah Marshall (Erin), Benjamin Marshall (Lisa), Rebecca Haroush (Yossi Haroush), Eric Dyer (Dr. Stacey Burns), Adam Dyer, Sammy Dyer, Stephanie Africk (Mike), David (Lori) Greenberg, Leah Dyer, Elana Dyer (Lauren Coppolla); and great-grandchildren Niomi, Leah, Lyra, Talia, Ezra, Gabriel, Julia Rose, Avigail, Noa, Baruch, Orly, Aviya, Ellie, Jake, Janie, Jessie, Addison, Matthew, Harper and Olivia. Gerry was the loving brother of the late David Elovitz and his surviving wife Fran and Pauline "Poppy" Richman and her late husband Milton.

A private service was held Nov. 13.

Image via Levine Chapels