ELLIOTT, Roy 1928-2024

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Roy Elliott, aged 95.  He is survived by his loving family, including his wife Florence, daughters Andrea, Lisa and Linda, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Roy lived a wonderful, long life, which began in Liverpool. As a youth growing up in war-torn England, he found escape in the countryside cycling and riding horses.  Seeking adventure at an early age, he signed on with the Cunard Ship Lines and worked as a steward on passenger ships, which allowed him to travel the world, eventually leading him to Canada.

Once in Canada, Roy worked in a variety of jobs, some of which allowed him to put his horsemanship and steward skills to use, firstly as a “whipper-in of the hounds” for a local Hunt Club, then as an RCMP Officer, riding horses as well as serving tea to a young Princess Elizabeth when she visited Regina, as he was the only Mountie, thanks to his time on the Cunard Lines, who possessed serving skills befitting a future Queen!  He also worked as a plain clothes detective and telecommunications technician.

While working in Northern Quebec, he met Florence, a beautiful young schoolteacher, who became his wife and with whom he shared his life for the next sixty years.

In addition to his family, Roy had many passions in life, one of which was his love of antique cars, owning over 70 during his lifetime.  He passed his love of Mini Austin’s onto his young daughters (and their boyfriends!), all of whom owned them growing up.  This love has also been passed onto a grandson, who is anxious to buy his first vintage Mini!

Roy was co-founder of one of the classic car clubs in the region and was well known for providing a “local wedding car for hire” service, driving many newly married couples on their special day in his 1955 Austin FX3 London Cab.

This hobby also led him into the film industry, which opened the door to his acting career as an extra, whereby he (and several of his vehicles), appeared in over 200 movies.  Roy was often featured in the local paper promoting “Hollywood North” films that he was an extra in, which were being shot around the Montreal area.  He also loved to perform as a cast member in his community music and theatre club.  Ironically, the acting gene skipped his daughters, but is alive and well in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who are carrying on their grandfather’s acting and singing legacy.

Roy was a loving husband and father, who had a great sense of humour, quick wit and strength of character.  He will be missed immensely by his family and all who knew him.

Family and friends are invited to attend a “Celebration of Life” on August 11th, 2024, at the Centre Créatif Hudson / Hudson Creative Hub (formerly St. Mary’s Church Hall), 273 Main Road, Hudson, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, to honour Roy’s incredible life.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the phenomenal staff at Ste. Anne’s Veterans Hospital, for their outstanding care and incredible compassion throughout the last thirteen months.