Dr. JAMES ELLIOTT SCOTT

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Elliott Scott, age 72, after a courageous battle with cancer. Leaving to mourn with fond and loving memories are his wife, Katherine; children: Kristina (Glen), Brendan (Lyndsay) and Jordan (Sarah); grand-children: Bryce, Everly and Finnley; brother-in-law, Gary; nephew and niece: Brady and Shianna; many cousins; and his favourite little companion pup, Rosie.

Elliott was born on January 7th, 1952 to Gordon and Elizabeth Scott in Brandon, Manitoba. Elliott graduated from Brandon Collegiate Institute in 1970 and continued his passion for education completing a BSc. at Brandon University, followed by finding a home at the University of Manitoba to study Anatomy and Medical Research [MSc./77, PhD/80] under the mentorship of Dr. T.V.N. Persaud.

Elliott always fondly recalled his years of growing up in Brandon with his Mom, Dad, and Nanny on Second Street. He would tell stories of accidentally hitting baseballs through the windows of his parents house, working at the Mackenzie Seeds factory, and road trips down to Denver, Colorado to visit his cousins, Cheryl and Karen. 

He met his wife, Kathy, in 1974 over the infamous snowshoe incident at Oak Lake Research Station. They spent many hours there canoeing in the marsh, swimming in the lake, and interacting with other colleagues, like Roger Smith, whom Elliott worked for during the summer studying mouse populations. It was at Oak Lake where Elliott proposed to Kathy in the summer of 1974. They married on April 19, 1975 and went on to welcome 3 beautiful children, a girl and two boys, to their lives. This full house and loving marriage endured for 49 happy years.

Elliott was a family man through and through. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his family and relatives. He loved hosting big holiday dinners at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, where he could be found in the kitchen with oven mitts and wearing an apron!

Elliott enjoyed spending his time with his family taking road trips to Grand Forks, B.C. and South Dakota. Elliott was well traveled and particularly enjoyed attending many scientific conferences over the years. He made trips to Europe, China, Japan, Greece, and Turkey. He and Kathy enjoyed several vacation trips with good friends to Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Las Vegas. He also enjoyed the many camping trips over the years to Birds Hill, Falcon Lake, St. Malo, and the Whiteshell. He joined his children in their favourite activities: swimming, hiking, catching frogs and crayfish, and fishing. Many happy memories are recalled from these days.

Elliott also had a deep reverence and appreciation for all kinds of music. At his work he had opera constantly playing quietly in the background. At home, he would be blasting the radio with the likes of The Eagles, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis, Anne Murray, and Patsy Cline. He had a very large collection of L.P.s dating back to the 1970s. He himself was quite accomplished in the musical field playing organ with his band, BACKROADS, as well as guitar and piano.

Elliott was extremely passionate about reading. His favourite authors included Robert Heinlein, Richard Dawkins, Leon Lederman, Jacob Bronowski, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and of course Stephen Hawking. He spent many hours reading books that discussed the origin of man and our place in the universe. Science was always at the forefront of his thoughts and discussions.

Elliott completed three years of post-graduate studies in London, Ontario under the direction of Dr. Fred Possmayer. Dr. Scott was welcomed to Dalhousie University for his first role as an Assistant Professor, so he and Kathy packed up and moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia. As many of us know, Elliott found his niche teaching at the university level beginning in 1983 – and this continued throughout his career. As Elliott and Kathy began to build their family, they moved back to Winnipeg where Elliott continued teaching, leading extensive research projects and finding a purpose at the University of Manitoba where his love for university research took flight. Since 1988, Elliott worked within the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry (U of M) as Professor, Associate Dean of Research and Head of the Department of Oral Biology. His accomplishments are widespread and his family loved hearing about the hundreds of publications he wrote, the crucial research he participated in (more specifically as a member scientist of the Manitoba Institute of Child Health; focusing on lung development and tobacco-induced diseases), and seeing how much passion he had while being the editor-in-chief of the international journal Tobacco Induced Diseases for which he received a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022, Elliott was awarded Professor Emeritus for his exceptional contributions at the University of Manitoba. 

Having retired in January 2020, Elliott received a diagnosis of cancer in March of the same year. Following surgery, he embarked on a journey of doctor visits and chemo treatments, which afforded him more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Always a man of few words and few complaints, you would never know he was sick or fighting a disease, even as he continued to teach and sit on the selection committee for the College of Dentistry.

After the diagnosis of his cancer in 2020, he found enjoyment in watching reruns of his favourite shows like Star Trek, Zorro, and Big Bang Theory. He still spent many hours reading books, researching interests on the computer, spending time with his family, and taking small trips with Kathy. They even purchased a travel trailer in summer of 2023 and were able to enjoy several camping trips to their favourite places.

Elliott considered two of his closest friends as his brothers. Tom Perrin and Dr. Jim Thliveris continued to support Elliott through his cancer diagnosis and regularly stayed in touch by texts, phone calls, and hospital visits. Before he was hospitalized, he regularly went to “lunch meetings” with Tom or Jim involving wings and beer. Also a special mention to his friend and neighbour of 36 years, James Naylor. James called and texted on a regular basis and made home and hospital visits which really lifted Elliott’s spirits. A big ‘thank you’ from Elliott’s family for your friendship and support over the years.

A special thank you to Dr. Puff and Laura Klammer for their wise advice and caring commitment. The family also wishes to express their sincere gratitude, and appreciation to the emergency and palliative care staff at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre for their kindness and excellent care during Elliott’s hospital visits.

We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and generosity extended to our family following Elliott’s passing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brandon University in memory of Dr. James Elliott Scott.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, July 19th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg at 603 Wellington Crescent.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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