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Elliott died on August 7, 2018, at 43, after a year long struggle with glioblastoma.

He is survived by his parents, Pat and Anthony Welch, his brother, Aaron (Monica).

Elliott was born and raised in Huntsville, Ontario.

Elliott was a committed environmentalist.  As a teenager he served on the Muskoka Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, compiled a green directory with the support of a provincial grant and wrote a feasibility study for a centralized compost system in Huntsville. 

Graduating from high school at the top of his class, he won a President’s scholarship to the University of Guelph, where he studied Environmental Science.  At university he won the Governor General’s Academic medal which he received from the Governor General at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. 

After graduating with an Honours B.Sc. (Env.) with distinction, he joined the federal civil service,  starting in Guelph, where he worked for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  In 2001 he switched to Human Resources and Skills Development, where he worked in occupational health, safety and the environment, and moved to Toronto, a city that he loved.

Elliott was a passionate advocate for gay rights.  One of his last accomplishments as a civil servant was co-founding the national Pride Network for his department.

Elliott was a gracious and generous host.  His Pride parties were legendary.  No one who attended will forget Elliott’s 30th birthday party when, in drag as Miranda Mimosa, Miranda had the entire audience singing along with her rendition of “Que sera, sera.” 

In 2009, Elliott’s career took him to Ottawa.  In 2016 he returned to Toronto so he could be closer to his parents and better able to support them as they aged.  It was not to be.

A huge fan of streetcars and trains, he was about to embark on a holiday train trip to Halifax in July 2017, when, not feeling well, he went to the emergency department at Mount Sinai.  Five days later he was in surgery.

He faced his diagnosis with strength, courage and grace, always caring for the comfort of others before his own.   He was most concerned about the impact the disease had on his family.  His parents, bravely and courageously, stood by his side for his entire journey, moving in with him to provide care and comfort and holding vigil at his beside.  Pat, Anthony, Aaron and Elliott’s friend, Jeremy, were with him when he died.

His family would like to thank Dr. Bryson at Princess Margaret Palliative care for his kindness and Krysten and Fred at Bridgepoint for their excellent nursing care of Elliott.  They would also like to thank Jeremy, Carol, Bob, Shelley, Eileen, Monica and Kirk for their kindness and support. 

A service will be held in the chapel of the Mitchell Funeral Home, 15 High Street, Huntsville P1H 1N9 on Tuesday, August 14th, with visitation starting at noon and a service at 1 pm. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, Elliott requested that donations be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and be directed to the Gerry and Nancy Penner Brain Tumour Centre endowment.  Donations may be made in Elliott’s name at 1-866-224-6560 or 416-946-6560 (option 1) or www.thepmcf.ca.  www.mitchellfuneralhome.ca

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  1. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Elliott’s family and friends. My memories of Elliott date back to primary school. In high school I feel privledged to count him amoung my friends while participated in the environmental group, spending spares in the library, and attending Prom. I hope that there is some peace in knowing that Elliott had a place in so many peoples lives.

  3. I’m shocked & saddened to hear of Elliott’s passing. His life was far too short. I didn’t realize he was sick as we fell out of touch. We studied ENV science together at u of g. I will miss his friendship, his great sense of humour, his dedication to protecting the environment and advocating for all things good. He was a true environmentalist who walked the talk. To his family , I am deeply sorry for your loss & hope you find some comfort in knowing all the lives Elliott has touched.

  4. I worked with Elliott at HRSDC he was a good and generous soul. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I wish his family peace and love.

  5. Dear Pat, Tony and Aaron,
    What a lovely and moving tribute to Elliott’s all-too-short life.
    I have many memories of him at Huntsville Public Library and was always interested to hear news of him and his career after he left Huntsville.
    My heart goes out to you all at this very sad time,
    Marguerite

  6. Bon voyage, Elliott! May your travels on this new journey be just as amazing as you were.
    I had the absolute pleasure to work with Elliott in Ottawa before his move to Toronto and was on his team prior to what was to be a vacation! We had many laughs and I always respected his life ethics.
    He was a true gem and will be missed by all who knew him.
    My deepest regrets to his family and friends.
    Rest easy Mr. Welch

  7. Dear Elliott, I will never forget you. You have been and will remain in my heart a wonderful colleague, a caring friend and above all a great source of inspiration.
    I have had the pleasure of working with you in the development of the ESDC Employee Pride Network and also in the implementation of the Positive Space Initiative within our department. Together we have worked hard to make this a reality and thanks to your dedication, the Pride Network and the Positive Space Initiative are still very active.
    Not a day goes by that I don’t feel the emptiness created by your departure. You will remain forever a faithful friend who always had a lot of attention to others. Wherever you are now, Elliott, I’m sure you’ll keep watching over us.
    On my own behalf and on behalf of my spouse Laurent, I would like to offer our most sincere condolences to the family. We are with you wholeheartedly in these difficult times. We are unable to be present this afternoon at the ceremony, but we will be with you in thought.
    Go in peace, my friend!

  8. My condolences to the family. I worked with Elliott at ESDC for a number of years. Elliott was the consummate professional and took great pride in his work. I considered Elliott a friend as well as a colleague. It was always an interesting discussion with Elliott when he was trying to figure out how he would get to an Service Canada office outside of Toronto to do a site visit.

  9. My sincere condolences to the family. Elliott was a great friend. He was my first supervisor in the public service and taught me so much when I worked with him. We would meet up for a beer every time he would visit Ottawa when he moved to Toronto. Elliott will be missed.

  10. On behalf of my family and Labour Program colleagues in the Federal government, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family. Elliott’s contributions has far reaching positive impacts for us all. He is loved and will be missed.

  12. Elliott, I’ve always admired your drive, passion and formidable intellect. Your singular humour and passion for the environment was a source of inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing you. The world is a much better place because of you. You will be missed.

  14. As a former colleague of Elliott’s, from HRDC and its various iterations, who had moved elsewhere in my career and lost touch, I can only express my shock at his death. Too young. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

  15. My condolences to Tony, Pat, Aaron and Monica. It is wonderful that you could be with Elliott through his difficult year. He touched so many hearts and will be remember by all who knew him.
    Anne Datema

  16. Oh Aaron, I’m so ,so very sorry to hear about Eliot’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  17. Pat, Anthony and family;
    My heart goes out to you at such a sad time, Elliott was an amazing young man.
    Elliott was a school friend of both of my children, Michelle Jones-Kralka and Marc Jones.
    You are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Carol Jones-Taylor,. Hope, BC

  18. what a sad day, sorry for the loss of your son, brother and friend…………may he rest in peace.
    The Rose Clan from Aspdin Rd

  19. I will sure miss you Elliott. We were friends for 15 years and shared many fond memories. You really faced this last year with a lot of courage. You were gone too soon. It’s sad thinking that you are no longer here anymore.

  20. Oh no. Elliott was like a comet with dazzling ideas splintering and cascading off him. He was kind and wise and good. He was also a formidable prankster.

  21. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. Elliott was an amazing person, with a beautiful soul. He touched many lives, mine included, and will be remembered fondly by so many people. His was a life well lived. Condolences to all of you.

  22. My condolences to the Welch family. Although Elliott and I were never close, we did go to both public and high school together, he was an amazing person and will be missed by many. So very sorry for your loss.

  23. My sincere and heartfelt condolences with Elliott’s passing. My memories of Elliott date back to primary school. In high school he was among one of my friends as we spent time together in the environmental group, spares in the library and going to Prom!
    I hope that there is some peace in knowing that Elliott was a part of so many peoples lives.

  24. Tony and Pat:
    We are very saddened to hear of Elliott’s passing.
    What a great loss for all. May God give you strength and comfort in the difficult days ahead.
    God bless.

  25. While we have not seen each other for a lot of years, our condolences to Tony, Pat and Aaron and Monica. Hugs to you all. Elliott will be sadly missed by many.

    Brenda and Bob Scott

  26. Dear Aunt Pat, Uncle Tony, Aaron and Monica,
    Our thoughts and prayers have been with you throughout this difficult journey. We are grieving this loss with you, and we are holding you close in our hearts. Elliott was a one-of-a-kind cousin. God bless you with peace and strength in your time of loss.
    With love and deepest sympathy,
    Kelly, Lawrence and Emma

  28. Elliott, I won’t forget how a great friend and courageous person you were to me in our much younger years. Through Huntsville Public School and Huntsville High School, your friendship and humor helped us escape the hardships grade school could be. Although it has been years since we talked, you made and have left many, many positive footprints in my life and on this earth. I will miss you.
    Peace be with you and your family. Jacquie

  29. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve known Elliott for many years and most recently worked with him in Toronto. Elliott will be missed, my sincere condolences.

  30. My sincere condolences for your family. He leaves a void that no one can fill. I will miss him greatly.

  31. Pat and Tony I am so sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing. My sincere sympathy and condolences to you and your family.

  32. I am so sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing. I worked with Aaron many years ago at A&P . My deepest sympathies are with you, Aaron and your family .

  33. Dear family and loved ones of Elliott. What a terrible loss for all of us who knew him, and for the the wider world. Elliott was certainly one of the most amazing men I ever had the privilege of knowing. I have missed him so much since he moved to Toronto – he touched so many lives with his positive outlook and forward thinking projects. He made the world a better place. Go in peace my friend.
    Que sera, sera.

  34. I am so very sorry for your loss. I worked with Elliot at the Labour Program and had so many laughs with him. He was witty, insightful, and sharp and a true friend.

  35. So sorry to hear of your loss Elliott always made a big difference in this world My thoughts are with yoy

  37. I offer my condolences to Elliott’s family and friends. I am so saddened by the news and wish you all the strength and comfort needed to get through the loss of such a wonderful person.

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