Bruce Elliott

Bruce William Bill Elliott, 95, passed away peacefully at his home in Willoughby, OH on September 25, 2012 from complications with pneumonia. He had a full and active life he had! Born in Fort Thomas, KY the oldest of three boys, to Helen nee Flannelly and Homer Livingston Elliott, he grew-up in New Orleans and Nashville and attended The University of Michigan's College of Architecture, class of 1940. Before graduating, he joined the Army, rose to the rank of Captain in the Seventh Armored Division in Europe during WWII and earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation for valor at the outbreak of the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he returned to college where he met his wife of 65 years, Dorothy nee Wantz Elliott. His career began in Chicago with Time-Life, Inc. where he began using his first name, Bruce. In 1957 he moved to Cleveland to run the Architectural Forum division of Time. When Time-Life stopped publishing Forum in the mid-1960's, he continued as an advertising and marketing executive with several publishing and architectural companies in Cleveland. Proud of his American heritage, and direct family ties to Philip Livingston, one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, Bill was a member of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and Early Settlers Association of the Western Reserve. He was known for his architecturally oriented lectures and slide shows on Vanderbilt's Biltmore, Winterthur and the Palaces of Newport. He also belonged to The Cheshire Cheese Club, was a member of the Cleveland Heights Planning Commission and the Board of the Cleveland Arthritis Foundation. After retirement, Bill became very involved with The Natural History Museum of Cleveland in their cultural anthropology division, and with over 8, 000 hours, was recognized as one of their leading service members. He was a Docent at the Western Reserve Historical Society. His love of architecture and patriotism combined when he was surprised to discover his hastily drawn design on the back of an 85th birthday card for a memorial at the World Trade Center site landed in The New York Times in the August 30, 2002 edition. After living in Cleveland Heights for 55 years, where Bill was 'mayor' of Wellington Road and an integral part of his community, they moved to Willoughby. Bill never missed flying the flag on American holidays, and always called to remind his children to do the same. He loved reading and travelling and especially enjoyed all the myriad of details that went into each one of their trips. He was a very devoted father and grandfather. Pre-deceased by his wife Dotty this past March 2012, he is survived by his two brothers: Jack Elliott pre-deceased by Barbara, August 2012 and Richard Elliott pre-deceased by Jeannine, December 2007. Four children: Bruce William Jr., Thomas Wantz Jean, Jane Elliott Pinkas pre-deceased by Robert March 2012, Andrew Armstrong Cynthia, and seven grandchildren: Robbie, Callie, Benny, Lissa and Katie Pinkas; Ben and Elaine, and Brittany Elliott. The family wants to sincerely thank all of the exceptional staff and residents of Breckenridge's Grace Woods, with special appreciation to Elaine Kuhl, Manager, for such loving care these past two years. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 3. 2012 at Fairmount Presbyterian Church at 3:00 PM. Gifts in Bill's memory would be appreciated for The Natural History Museum of Cleveland.


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