In Loving Memory of John Elliott 87 years. John was born to Flora Renaud and Thomas Elliott in Aylmer, QC. He fondly leaves behind sisters Dorothy and Helen Elliott. He is survived by his wife Gale Elliott (née Thomas). Loving father of four sons: Gregory, Mark, Steven (Sandra Bond) and Christian (Linda Ecclestone). Gramps to Liam, Alexandra, Quinn, William and Elizabeth. John attended St. Patrick College and Lisgar Collegiate in Ottawa. He received his B.Sc. (Agriculture, Animal Science) from MacDonald College, McGill University. Graduate studies were spent in Michigan State University with a M. Sc. in Extension Education and a PhD in Resource Development and Communications. John worked at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS as Research Director for Community Development programs. In 1970, he moved to Sudbury where he taught in the Sociology Department at Laurentian University where he earned the title of Professor Emeritus. John was an extraordinarily talented man who enjoyed many hobbies. He built a family cottage at Dominion Bay on Manitoulin Island where he spent time doing stained glass, copper enameling and woodworking. John was also an avid fisherman and spent many beautiful summer evenings in Dominion Bay with sons, grandchildren and dogs trolling for the big one. John was an artist who participated in the Studio Tours both in Sudbury and on Manitoulin Island. He was a founding member of Artists on Elgin and volunteered at the shop in its early days. John was a deeply spiritual man; he was a founding member of the St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish - University of Sudbury. A special thanks to Dr. Garrioch, Dr. Bora, Dr. Shoesmith, Dr. Roberts, Dr. Tenhunen, Claire Warren, the entire Maison McCulloch Hospice staff, the wonderful support of the Home Instead program, Roxanne McGrath, the Bayshore nursing team, and all the other caring health professionals. A Celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the Canisius Hall, University of Sudbury. Mass will be from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m., followed by a reception (with a meal) at 4:30pm (come late if you want). Donations may be made directly to the Sudbury Hospice Foundation - John Elliott Memorial Fund. (maisonsudburyhospice.org/donate/)
Throughout the early years of LU’s Department of Sociology (later Department of Sociology and Anthropology), John Elliott and his wonderful wife Gale helped stabilize this important academic unit. Unlike LU’s Departments of Psychology, Geography, and History which were planned for and funded at the same level as the sciences when LU opened in 1960, the Department of Sociology (later Sociology and Anthropology) was never sufficiently funded or staffed. Instead, these mainstream university programs grew according to strong student demands for their courses and insufficient funding created stressful workloads for faculty and Chairs. Predictably, underfunding led to fights over resources faculty needed to be able to function. When this pressure became oppressive, John and Gale Elliott seemed to know how to help us manage. John built a wonderful rec room in his house which became an important place for nice get togethers for faculty and students. He also created badly-needed collegial bonding by (for example) organizing an opportunity for everyone to watch once- in-a-lifetime international hockey and he was a calming influence when fights erupted over limited resources. It’s not likely SOC and ANTR at LU would have functioned as well as they did without this mature, kind, and productive faculty member and colleague who was missed as soon as he retired. Sometimes LU gets things right and hiring John Elliott was very wise. Sincerely, K. Molohon
July 14, 2018
Dear Gale,
I was so sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was truly a remarkable man with such a varied educational background that lead him to contributing so much to society.
With my sincre sympathy.
Marion Arnold.
July 10, 2018
Thank you John for your patience with us as kids. My thoughts are with all of you.
July 7, 2018
Good man. Good friend. Good wife. Good family. Good memories. Thanks for all these things. God Bless.
July 7, 2018
Dear Gale and Family,
Our thoughts are with you and your family as you celebrate John’s life. We are sorry for your loss and wish John Godspeed on his spiritual journey.
Paddy and Sandra O’Sullivan
July 6, 2018
Sending all my love and prayers. God bless all of you and know we are all thinking of you.
July 5, 2018
Chris, my deepest condolences. So many summers in his presence. I remember both his patience and generosity as he made boats on his bandsaw for us to float in the pond. His woodworking and renovations kept your home in constant evolution. It was always a place of exploration and discovery. Fond memories of our childhood. May he rest in peace.
July 4, 2018
Hearing about your loss has deeply saddened me, and I know that this is far from what you are going through right now. You are in my thoughts and prayers. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family.
Carolyn Nolan
July 4, 2018
To my special friend Gale. My heart goes out to you and your family. Always remember John is just a rainbow away. xo Lisa
July 4, 2018
Gale and Family;
Our thoughts are with you as you celebrate a life well lived – John Elliott. Cherish the memories.
Nancy and Bob Rogers
July 3, 2018