PETER DAVID ELLIOTT

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PETER DAVID ELLIOTT Born Bradford-on-Avon, England April 8, 1946 Died Winnipeg, Canada March 30, 2005 It is with great sadness and regret that we have to report that Peter Elliott has passed away in the palliative care ward at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg on the 30th of March 2005 after a short but bravely borne and dignified bout with cancer. The staff of the ward deserves special mention for their sympathy and consideration under these difficult circumstances. The end came peacefully with his good and trusted friend Dennis Dykes at his side. Dennis had dutifully and willingly been with Peter since the onset of his illness, with close friends Harold Masters and Phil King as backups (Peter's term). Left behind are his mother Josie Elliott, his brother Tony and his family, all in England, and a sister Betty and her family in Spain. There are also many nephews, nieces and other relatives in both these countries and a host of good friends in Winnipeg and beyond. Cremation has taken place, and at Peter's request there will be no funeral or service. A memorial get-together of friends and associates will be held at the Hilton Suites Winnipeg Airport Hotel, 1800 Wellington Ave., Winnipeg, on Thursday the 7th of April at 6.30 p.m. His ashes will be taken to England by his brother Tony, for dispersal there after a family service of remembrance. Peter had a long career in zoo keeping and other work, and for the last 33 years served as keeper and then head keeper in the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg. He began his zoo career in the London Zoo in 1963, and immigrated with two friends to Canada in 1966 to manage a major animal exhibit at Expo '67. After working in various capacities at smaller zoos and zoo-related facilities in Montreal, he moved to Bowmanville, ON to work at the zoo there, living on site and becoming involved in aspects of zoo-related activities including training camels for riding, presenting animals on live television childrens' shows, helping raise and nurse baby animals, acting as cashier and even cooking and serving food in the zoo's restaurant! The opportunity arose to move to Winnipeg in 1972 to satisfy the need for already-trained keeper staff, where he had remained ever since, concentrating his skills mainly in the Tropical House and later in the bear section. Because of his experience, expertise and approachability he soon became a person to whom others gravitated when they needed advice, suggestions or guidance. His ready wit, outgoing personality and unpretentious honesty endeared him to many others, both inside and outside the profession, and he evolved into the sort of person about whom one would readily ask, when faced with a problem, what would Petie do? Annual fishing trips to remote spots with colleagues were a favourite pastime for many years, and reading was one of the things he enjoyed a great deal. His character impersonations and voice imitations were a joy to behold, and the raised-eyebrow stare while chewing imaginary gum accompanied by the classic phrase wo'choo lookin' at, pal? will be much missed. While he had no immediate family here, Peter was very close to his circle of friends, and was extremely well thought of by his co-workers and colleagues. His presence and character will be impossible to replace. Once in a while such a person comes along, an expert in his field and so willing to give of himself to others. Those of us who knew him will mourn his passing, recover and move on, but we will never forget. Perhaps Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II said it best - Grief is the price we pay for love. And many people at the zoo are grieving. Peter, mate - we'll miss you.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 05, 2005