L. Gene Elliott

Mass of Christian Burial for Lawrence E. "Gene" Elliott, 86, of Canton, will be held on Monday, April 14, 2014 at 11:00 AM, at St. Mary's Church in Canton with Rev. Douglas Lucia, celebrating. Gene died on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital with his family at his side.
Friends may call on Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 4-7 PM at the O'Leary Funeral Home, 5821 US Hwy 11; Canton. Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the St. Lawrence Valley, St. Lawrence County Right to Life Foundation or Hope Lodge in Burlington, VT.
Surviving Gene are a son, Michael Elliott of Ogdensburg; three daughters, Cheryl Grant and husband Rodney of Myrtle Beach; Debbie Casey and husband Mark of Beverly, MA; Paula Jones and husband Robert of Liverpool. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Jennifer Nickerson, Shannon Giaquinto and Melissa Casey, Jeff and Amanda Grant, Tori and Christopher Elliott and Katherine Jones, and by three great-grandchildren, David, Madison and Jake, a brother David Elliott and wife Nancy of DeKalb and a sister Barbara Huber of Spokane, WA.
He is predeceased by a son Russell Elliott, a brother James Elliott and by sisters, Mary Place and Patricia Norris and by a granddaughter Rachel Elliott.
Gene was born on September 14, 1927 in Canton, the son of the late Lawrence J. and Esther (Holland) Elliott. He graduated from Canton High School and attended SLU. Gene served in the United States ARMY during WWII as a medical technician, being honorably discharged in 1947. Gene married Shirley Conklin on July 21, 1948 at St. Mary's Church in Canton with Rev. McCarthy, officiating; Mrs. Elliott predeceased him in April 2012. Gene worked various part time jobs while running the family farm for a few years, he also worked at ALCOA for 6 years prior to becoming employed by the United States Postal Service for 31 years.
Gene was a communicant of St. Mary's Church and was a Eucharistic Minister, member of the Knights of Columbus, advocate for SLC Right to Life, member of the Canton VFW Post 1231 and helped organize the Rushton Memorial Canoe Races for several years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, loved music and playing the guitar.
The family would like to send a heartfelt thanks to all the neighbors who helped Gene be able to stay in his home for the year following the death of Shirley, and to Donna Spicer and the staff at the Spicer Adult Home who gave much loving care to Gene in the last several months of his life.
Condolences may be shared online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com.