Stanley Owen Elliott
March 11, 1928-December 19, 2013
Stanley Owen Elliott, of Campbell River, BC passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at the Campbell River District Hospital. Dad was born on March 11, 1928 in Port Lorne, Nova Scotia. He grew up in Economy, Nova Scotia. As soon as Dad could, he entered the Navy. He recalled one particular highlight, a game of crib with a five star general in which Dad had perfect score of 29. He was very proud of that.
After a short stay in the Navy Dad moved to Calgary and worked as an electrician while studying for his commercial pilot’s license. As a young lad, Dad had a fascination with planes and spent many hours building all sorts of model planes. At the age of 26 he achieved his life-long dream of being a commercial pilot by acing his solo flight on a 65 horse power Aeronca Champan at the Calgary flying club. In 1956 Dad married his sweetheart Ollie. After qualifying for his commercial pilot’s license, he obtained a flying position with Lamb Airways out of the Pas, Manitoba.
Dad logged over 20,000 hours in the years he spent flying in Manitoba. That logged airtime is equivalent to flying two years without landing to refuel. He pioneered the use of water bombers in northern Manitoba and had a reputation of landing DC 3’s on short strips. He was known as one of the best Base Managers and pilots in the province. Dad went on to be an Inspector with the Ministry of Transport for about five years. Dad established his own chartered aircraft business (Ellair Ltd.) which included flying countless medevac’s out of very remote locations. Moving on from Ellair Ltd., Dad got his financial advisor certification with Investors Group. Looking for new opportunities, Dad made the decision to move to Campbell River in 1991 because he liked the seaboard life. Within a short time Dad established Snug Harbor Financial, Mid Island Cruiser Boat Rentals and CR Electric Wheels. He had many more ventures on the drawing table.
Dad was genuine. He trusted people the way he knew people could trust him. He never sugar coated anything, he always told you what he thought. He never gave up. During any setbacks he always found a way to rally on. He could see the good in people and always challenged them to do better. He loved music, he played piano, guitar and violin. He was a generous man and a lot of fun. He invested in his family and in the community in which he lived. Dad cared deeply about children who suffered and did what he could to help them. He was very proud to be a Shriner.
He really was a very sentimental man. Dad enjoyed golfing and fishing and he loved to show his friends a good time. Those who knew him well, knew his true heart. He is greatly missed. We as a family wish to thank the nurses and doctors at the Campbell River District Hospital for their sensitive and detailed care of Dad.
Dad is survived by Ollie, his loving wife of 58 years, daughters Glenys, Laurie (Darcy), Fran, Jo-Ann (Bernie), Susan (Larry) and sons Greg (Dawn), Ron (Barb), James (Jo), Robert (Elva), 28 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, brother Bernard (Lorraine), and sister Joyce (Norman) as well as many nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by his father Rallin, mother Frances, brother Eugene (Ellen) and sister Shirley (John).
A funeral service was held at Christian Life Fellowship, 445 Merecroft Rd in Campbell River on January 4, 2014 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Campbell River District Hospital Foundation.