MEMORIES
AMY PETERSON
Our buddy and good neighbor Elliott passed away. He will be missed by many.
This guy was amazing, wonderful, fascinating, and one of the kindest people I've ever met. If you saw him on the street he always greeted you and was quick with a smile and an encouraging word.
I first met him many years ago when he was a volunteer at Park Nicollet and would offer coffee, tea, or juice to people waiting for the doctor. A few years later, I realized we were neighbors and interviewed him for a sociology project. A veteran of WWII, a world traveller, and a man unafraid to take chances and he had some really great stories to tell.
We've lived here for quite awhile and Elliott has watched my daughter, Zoë, grow up from 7 to nearly 17. He would often stop and remark how the time has flown, how much she has changed, and ask how she is doing. When she was trying to fundraise for school trips, he supported her without hesitation. It was through his work that she and many other kids whose families couldn't afford to purchase or rent instruments were able to participate in school band. It was nice to have a good neighbor who genuinely cared about the young people.
He also took pride in his community and noticed the little things others didn't. Last year, Zoë had a job through the city in which she was in charge of keeping Wolfe Park and the local skate park clean and free of garbage and debris. One day, she ran into Elliott picking up trash in the skate park he joked that she was doing his job. Throughout the summer they would run into each other there and joke and chat. Even though she assured him she would keep the park clean, he still stopped by - and that was fine with her because she enjoyed his company. We also noticed he posted notes in the local bus shelters asking bus patrons to please help keep them tidy, and cleaned them up on his own when they didn't. Zoë took photos of those notes because we thought they were so special. It was always so impressive and inspiring to see his work, and then wonder what else he did that was going unnoticed.
Many times, Zoë and I would greet him when he was strolling through the park wearing his top hat and getting his evening exercise. Every time you saw Elliott your day was just a little bit better. You couldn't interact with Elliott without smiling. It felt nearly impossible to even try.
A few years ago, he got a side by side bike and could be spotted taking people for a spin around the park. But he was best known for being the man with the Cat in the Hat tricycle. That trike and Elliott were a famous duo around here. Parades, concerts, picnics, and neighborhood get-togethers were great places to spot him happily waving to everyone. Those events were always more fun when he was there.
Like Gene Autrey and Champion, Roy Rogers and Trigger, or John Wayne and Duke I picture Elliott Royce riding his beloved Cat in the Hat tricycle off into the sunset.
Our neighborhood won't be the same without him.
Safe travels, my friend. Thank you for everything.
AMY PETERSON
Our buddy and good neighbor Elliott passed away. He will be missed by many.
This guy was amazing, wonderful, fascinating, and one of the kindest people I've ever met. If you saw him on the street he always greeted you and was quick with a smile and an encouraging word.
I first met him many years ago when he was a volunteer at Park Nicollet and would offer coffee, tea, or juice to people waiting for the doctor. A few years later, I realized we were neighbors and interviewed him for a sociology project. A veteran of WWII, a world traveller, and a man unafraid to take chances and he had some really great stories to tell.
We've lived here for quite awhile and Elliott has watched my daughter, Zoë, grow up from 7 to nearly 17. He would often stop and remark how the time has flown, how much she has changed, and ask how she is doing. When she was trying to fundraise for school trips, he supported her without hesitation. It was through his work that she and many other kids whose families couldn't afford to purchase or rent instruments were able to participate in school band. It was nice to have a good neighbor who genuinely cared about the young people.
He also took pride in his community and noticed the little things others didn't. Last year, Zoë had a job through the city in which she was in charge of keeping Wolfe Park and the local skate park clean and free of garbage and debris. One day, she ran into Elliott picking up trash in the skate park he joked that she was doing his job. Throughout the summer they would run into each other there and joke and chat. Even though she assured him she would keep the park clean, he still stopped by - and that was fine with her because she enjoyed his company. We also noticed he posted notes in the local bus shelters asking bus patrons to please help keep them tidy, and cleaned them up on his own when they didn't. Zoë took photos of those notes because we thought they were so special. It was always so impressive and inspiring to see his work, and then wonder what else he did that was going unnoticed.
Many times, Zoë and I would greet him when he was strolling through the park wearing his top hat and getting his evening exercise. Every time you saw Elliott your day was just a little bit better. You couldn't interact with Elliott without smiling. It felt nearly impossible to even try.
A few years ago, he got a side by side bike and could be spotted taking people for a spin around the park. But he was best known for being the man with the Cat in the Hat tricycle. That trike and Elliott were a famous duo around here. Parades, concerts, picnics, and neighborhood get-togethers were great places to spot him happily waving to everyone. Those events were always more fun when he was there.
Like Gene Autrey and Champion, Roy Rogers and Trigger, or John Wayne and Duke I picture Elliott Royce riding his beloved Cat in the Hat tricycle off into the sunset.
Our neighborhood won't be the same without him.
Safe travels, my friend. Thank you for everything.