Elijah Elisio Timbale Gortaire-Wheat

He was a beautiful and talented child filled with confidence, life and spirit.

Born in Ann Arbor, MI, August 7, 1997 he loved to play in the parks, run in the Diag and gleefully swim in Fuller pool. He attended Bach Elementary before moving to Chicago with his mother and step-father Dick Barker.

At the age seven, he began studying the Suzuki method of violin, a passion that endured throughout his entire life. He was a naturally gifted musician and helped to nurture the value of a creative life with his little sister, Acacia Barker.

His voice was full of song, charisma, intellect and humor, he was accepted to the magnet program at Whitney Young Academy, in Chicago. At the age of 13, he moved to San Francisco to live with his loving father, step-mother Jessemay Kroth and sister Adalina Gortaire.

He loved to experience the hills of Dolores Park, surfing the Pacific Ocean, and exploring San Francisco on his skateboard. He continued to study violin while attending the prestigious San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA).

At fifteen, he returned to Brooklyn to be with his mothers, Carolina and Liz Nielsen and continued his love of music by dancing, composing electronic music and engaging in improvisational fiddle. He loved to share his talents performing in the NYC subway earning money to “save for Juilliard,” as he would say.

He is survived by his parents, siblings and grandparents Robert Wheat, Karen Wheat, Monica Taysing, and Fausto Gortaire Sr., along with his aunts and uncles, Brian Wheat, Brendan Wheat, Darren Wheat, Enrique Lara, Olinda Taysing and Ilene Molina, along with his cousins Antonio and Alexis Fuda, Amalia and Elizabeth Lara, Coen and Ezra Wheat.

There are many more family and friends that take his hand in prayer to send him to peace. He has been laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery on Friday January 24th, overlooking the Ann Arbor Arboretum. May his shining light and melodic voice guide us to happiness with his restful song.

Visitation and Services have moved to the church next to the Funeral Chapel.

The procession to Forest Hill Cemetery will line up on Fourth Ave in front of the funeral chapel and the church. Attendants will be available to assist in parking directions.

In Memory of Elijah Elisio Timbal Gortaire - Wheat / Memorial/Funeral www.youcaring.com

Organizer: Young Sun Han & Friends Beneficiary: Carolina Wheat & Liz Nielsen

The fundraise will help defray costs of the funeral services in New York and in Ann Arbor. We also seek support to help establish a music fund for kids in his name.