Elliot Sutherland

Born October 27, 1936 in Vancouver B.C. his parents were William (Bill) Sutherland and Elizabeth Elliot both originally from Scotland. The family of three moved to North Vancouver three years later.

Elliot`s father was a marine engineer and a hobby oil painter. His mother a home maker who delighted in cooking very traditional Scottish meals and tending to her only child.

The family owned a cabin on Bowen Island where Elliot enjoyed many summers swimming, boating, fishing and exploring. He had summer jobs at the general store starting at the age of 14. He has very fond memories of his time spent there.

Elliot attended Lonsdale Elementary and North Van High schools. In his 40`s he took two years of university. He saw a lot of changes living and growing up in North Van. He loved telling stories about his youth, the trolley car they rode up and down Lonsdale long before Highway #1 was built.

Elliot met wife Noreen by chance at the movie theatre, they were both there in different groups of their friends. Obviously Noreen caught his eye and soon they started courting and married shortly after that in 1958. Elliot at the age of 21 and Noreen aged 19. According to Noreen Elliot`s mum did not like her, she often referred to her using different womens names. Noreen soon came to realize that Elliot was a mommas boy, he was very spoilt and doted on. He could “do no wrong” apparently. However Elliot was a bit of a bad boy, plenty of fist fights, a few overnights in jail and arm tattoos and a wee bit of a rebel at times in his younger years!

In 1960 the couple purchased their first home together on Western Avenue at 27th Street in North Van. This home was on a quarter acre of land which got plenty of use with the above ground pool that hosted many parties and created even more memories. So many gatherings with some fabulous people and too many stories to share here. If you ever attended a party at “ bug house lane” then you have your own great memories!

In 1964 daughter Marni was born. Noreen only took a 6 week maturnity leave. Soon after Elliot moved and worked out of town in the mines in Granduc, Stewart B.C. for 3 years living in the camp. This was quite the experience.

When he got back to North Van and his family Elliot tried many different jobs, a fullerbrush salesman going door to door, Woolco Dept. store but finally landed a job at The City of North Vancouver. He worked outside operating heavy duty machinery, working roads for 13 years and making life long friendships.

Elliot enjoyed many activities and sports throughout the years. Camping, fishing, hunting, the gun range and decades with The All Blacks Rugby Club. Some of Elliot`s dearest friendships came from the game of rugby.

With his experience of operating equipment and the gift of his gab the next chapter was one of a travelling salesman of Forklifts and heavy duty equipment. Elliot`s work took him to Vancouver Island once a month, back east from time to time and abroad a few times as well, changing companies from time to time. Surfood Supply Co. was the fun one, they also sold sports equipment and this was very popular with the nieces and nephews.

In the late 70`s Elliot and Noreen purchased a condo in Whistler, B.C. following the lead of other family members who also owned in Whistler. Elliot`s work toys needed to be "tested out” in order for him to sell them, this is when he became the popular uncle. To name a few toys: Ski Doo`s, Sea Doo`s, paddle boats, windsurf boards and motorcycles. Thirteen years of weekends, summers and vacation time spent having plenty of laughs and building memories with family and friends. Whistler was a place of great joy hosting many many friends and a lifetime of memories were made there until 1990.

Selling Whistler opened up travelling for the family, Hawaii, Portugal, England, Scotland, Las Vegas, Arizona. Mexico, California, Florida, New Orleans and several trips throughout B.C. and Alberta. Elliot`s last job working with Toyota gave him the opportunity to go to Japan twice, which he has very fond memories of and some outrageous stories if you ever heard them.

In 1998 Elliot retired, leaving behind new technologies, laptops and cell phones. If you know ya know. This did not stop Noreen from working, in fact she kept working another 23 years but did cut back to part time hours.

Over the next couple of decades monthly getaways across the line into Washington state were very much enjoyed. If there was a casino to be found they would find it even in the smallest of towns. Countless trips soon began to revolve around casinos including complimentary hotel stays all over and endless casino membership cards could be found scattered throughout the home, luggage and car.

In 2013 Elliot and Noreen down sized from their house of 37 years in upper Lonsdale into a beautiful condo in Lynn Valley. This would be the final year of Elliot`s many surgeries, two cancers and five vascular ones. Although devasting to leave behind his beloved worshop that gave Elliot countless years of woodworking projects, home DIY`s, puttering and tinkering alike the outside home maintenance became too much work for him.

Elliot enjoyed the slower pace that condo living gave him, with Noreen still working he started volunteering at Restore- Habitat for Humanity. This became his favorite past time. It filled his love of tinkering with tools he was missing so much and where he began some new friendships. Putting items together, spending time repairing items to be sold and keeping stuff from the landfill brought him a lot of gratification. This also started him bringing home countless items that were destined for the trash until he saved them. People would give him their wish list of items and he would eventually find them. Were you one of the many recipients of his saved items: assorted measuring tapes, flashlights, masking tapes, lightbulbs, random box of stuff etc? If you were then you know!

Elliot`s best friend and wife of 64 years, Noreen sadly passed in 2022. This changed his life forever. Elliot continued to live solely in the condo until his unfortunate fall and hospital stay back in February 2024. Elliot`s health took an unforseen turn that led to his passing peacefully away in May 2024.

Elliot will be lovingly remembered as: the toughest teddy bear, a badass, a great story teller, sweet and gentle yet stubborn, the 9 finger hand shaker, loving family man, treasured friend and neighbor, and always ready to lend a helping hand. His smile, his kind and generous heart will be greatly missed by all.

Dad, I will miss you everyday but cherish all our adventures and memories created together. Each father`s day I tried to out do the previous years activities which got harder and harder. We ziplined both parks in Whistler and also Grouse Mountain too ( all in his 70`s ). Go carting, segways in a rain storm, Disneyland rides, Squamish air flight in a Cessna 172, Eye of the Wind, almost every museum in the lower mainland are among some of the many activities we did together. I love you forever.

IN MEMORIUM

WHEN I GO

When I go don`t learn to live without me

just learn to live with my love in a different way.

And if you need to see me close your eyes

or look in your shadow when the sun shines.

I am there.

Sit with me in the quiet and you will know

that I did not leave.

There is no leaving when a soul is blended with another.

When I go don`t learn to live without me

just learn to look for me in the moments.

I will be there.

Author Donna Ashworth