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Thomas Westley "Tom" Elliott

December 25, 2017

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Jul 19, 1941 - Dec 25, 2017
It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Tom (Thomas Westley) Elliott, our husband, father, father-in- law and grandfather.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Bente, children Lori (Clint) Hiscoe, Terri (Tom) Fugel, Wes (Julie) Elliott, and Cori (Nassim Tabri) Elliott, his much beloved grandchildren; Justin and Jeffrey Hiscoe, Karley and Kristy Fugel, Skylar, Georgia, and Connor Elliott, and Victor Tabri, and siblings; Norman (Dorothy) Elliott, Eileen (Edward) Carter, and Beth (Peter) Zeimer, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom was predeceased by his father, William Bruce Elliott and mother, Rhena Charlotte Elliott.

Tom was born on July 19, 1941 at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver. Tom spent his early days in Ladner B.C. and could be found caring for the horses at the harness-horse racing tracks. At the age of 15, his family moved to Stone Creek, B.C. and he enrolled in Prince George Senior Secondary (PGSS) where he excelled in many sports, especially in basketball, pole vaulting, and shot put. He was voted onto the student council as the athletic representative in 1959/60.

Outside of school hours he could be found playing on the men's fastpitch teams as a pitcher, infielder, or outfielder. After high school Tom enrolled in the inaugural year of the Prince George College in the welding program.

In the interim Tom met the love of his life at the age of 16 at PGSS and courted Bente by pulling her pony tail and teasing her daily. Tom's strategy was successful as they were married on March 10th, 1962.

Tom worked various jobs until he landed a position as a welder in Tailor Flats, Fort St. John in 1964 and in 1965 was hired to support the construction of the Prince George Pulp and Paper Mill and was later hired on as a permanent employee. In 1972 an opportunity to move his family to Vernon, B.C. arose and he accepted a welding position at Finning Tractor Ltd.

In 1979 Tom had a hankering to be his own boss and purchased the Vernon Battery Shop. Tom managed this business very successfully and then his risk taking nature sent his family and him on an adventure to Wells, B.C. to claim and operate a silver and gold mine in 1985.

In 1989 Tom's sense of adventure led him to take his real estate licence where he became well known as an honest and respected Realtor. He remained in this profession until his retirement in his early sixties.

At the age of 65 he "unretired" himself and started on another journey which took him all over North America delivering recreational vehicles to others and officially retired the fall of 2016.

Throughout all of Tom's adventures he remained committed and true to his family. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren unconditionally. Tom's passions were travelling with his family, camping, golfing, curling, and fishing and hunting. Family trips included Yellowstone National Park and Disneyland where the truck and camper logged many miles. Family memories include riding in the camper and the odd intercom message from the cockpit to the camper with the loud, clear message to "settle down".

Tom and Bente spent many years traveling the world, finding Tom's roots in Scotland, visiting family in Denmark, and exploring Eastern Canada and the States. Tom became the Elliott Clan Chapter Representative for BC following one of these trips and had been a member of the Coldstream Lions Club and the Rotary Club.

Tom loved people and you could find him "shooting the breeze" or bantering with someone who wandered into his path. Some of Tom's greatest joys were watching his grandchildren in all of their activities, making Christmas cookies with them, or road hunting.

Tom's favourite time of the year was Christmas and he was known to play Santa Claus on occasion. Tom was truly an amazing person and his family feel so honoured he was our husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. We were blessed to be part of his baptism two years ago as this was something he had thought about for many years.

A graveside service was held on December 30, 2017 where Tom was buried by his family in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

In remembrance of Tom a Celebration of Life will be held at the Church of Christ on Pleasant Valley Road on March 10th, 2018 at 1:30 pm.



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