Obituary of Douglas Elliott

Douglas Ferguson Elliott - MusBac, ARCT, ACCO, OIP 1916 - 2012 Douglas passed away at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Veterans' Wing, in his 96th year, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He had a great run, though. He was devoted to his wife and soul mate of 65 yrs, Elizabeth Mary (nee Porter), and will be missed forever by his daughter Sue and son Chas (Alix Gifford) grandfather to Jeremy and Matthew Pigott. He was predeceased by his sisters, Alletta (Ernie) McKay and Helen (Will) Roberts. Raised in Woodstock, Ontario, Douglas began a long distinguished career in music, earning his MusBac in composition after serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force in WWII. During the war he was Music Director of the Greenwood Male Choir. Their well known concerts were broadcast weekly on CBC radio. A brilliant recitalist both on organ and piano, he served on the faculty of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. He was an organist and choirmaster in Toronto for 53 years serving at Lawrence Park Community Church, Yorkminster Park Baptist, St. Andrew's Presbyterian, Sherbourne United and Alhambra United. A member of the Ontario Institute of Painters, he had over 50 solo exhibitions in galleries across Canada, and his work is represented in private and corporate collections around the world. An avid outdoor painter, he loved documenting East coast harbours and fishing communities, particularly in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Gloucester, Massachusetts. He and Elizabeth spent 50 wonderful summers painting, camping and trailering in Nova Scotia and Cape Ann. The family would like to thank all the wonderful health care professionals who worked tirelessly to make Dad's last years comfortable and peaceful. We are particularly grateful to the staff at the Sunnybrook's Veterans' K-Wing for their care and support. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES CHAPEL LIMITED, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 19. Funeral service will be held in LAWRENCE PARK COMMUNITY CHURCH, 2180 Bayview Avenue, Toronto on Friday, January 20 at 1:00 p.m. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.