CHARLES MORKILL ELLIOT

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CHARLES MORKILL ELLIOT January 25, 1957 - August 25, 2017 Charlie died peacefully at the Riverview Health Centre after being diagnosed with cancer in late July. He was predeceased by his parents, Margaret (nee Morkill) and James Elliot. He is survived by his sister Katherine Elliot, brother-in-law Georg Saure, and nephew Robin Elliot, of Whitehorse, Yukon. Growing up in River Heights, Charlie attended Queenston Elementary, River Heights Junior High and Kelvin High School. He moved to Edmonton, Alberta in 1978 to attend the Music and Performing Arts program at Grant MacEwan College. He returned to Winnipeg in 2004, where he was Manager of Sales for Seerx Technologies. Music was Charlie's lifelong passion and gift. He performed extensively in Western Canada as lead guitarist in a variety of bands. He shared his love of music readily as a guitar teacher, a mentor, a colleague and friend. Being on the water was also central to Charlie's life, at Victoria Beach as a child, exploring Clearwater Bay by canoe as a teenager, paddling the North Saskatchewan River near Edmonton, and spending time with his closest friends at Lac Lu and Pelican Pouch. He loved to take others along on his adventures be they canoeing, skiing in the Rockies, walking in Whitemud Ravine, biking to Assiniboine Park, fishing or having a beer by the campfire, he shared his enthusiasm with many colleagues and fellow musicians over the years. Charlie was very dedicated to family. He was a tremendously caring and fun-loving uncle to his nephew Robin, with whom he shared a deep bond. Robin's best memories will be of Char's annual Christmas visit to the Yukon; setting out across the lake in the snow to find just the right tree, exploring the neighbourhood on foot or by snowmobile, setting up for the Christmas party, late nights playing chess, scheming mischievously, and soaking in Char's colourful stories of friends in Winnipeg and good times at the lake. Charlie was able to take Robin to Pelican Pouch and Lac Lu in early August, and though his ability to participate was limited, he took great joy in watching Robin have a fantastic time swimming, kneeboarding, cliff jumping and catching pickerel in the places he loved. Charlie was an outgoing, generous, fun and loyal person, and was blessed with lifelong and enduring friendships. His community of colleagues, neighbours and friends has been exceptionally caring and supportive throughout his illness. Charlie appreciated this deeply, and it has also been of great comfort to his family. A memorial service and celebration of Charlie's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, at St. George's Anglican Church, 168 Wilton Street at Grosvenor. A reception in the Church Hall will follow the service. His ashes will be interred at St. John's Cathedral, and spread in his favourite places. Charles will forever be held close in our hearts. His memory will inspire us to kindness, grace and good humour. Donations in Charles' memory may be made to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, 55 Pavilion Cres., Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N6. A memory stone in his name will be placed at the entrance to the English Gardens.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 23, 2017