Robert Howard Elliston passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Day, December 25, 2013.
Robert was born on September 23, 1926, in his family’s home in Oil City, to Esther Grimm Elliston and William Dallas Elliston. After reaching his scholastic peak as President of the Jolly Health Club in the Fourth Ward School, he went on to graduate from Oil City High School in 1944. Bob was a musician in the school orchestra and band, serving as President of both in his senior year, and was active in school theatrical productions.
Upon graduation from high school, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the South Pacific on the USS O’Reilly. After discharge from the Navy, Bob attended the University of Buffalo. He returned to Oil City and joined the family business, I. R. Grimm Jewelry and Art, which he owned and operated for many years.
On August 22, 1950, he married Ilene Sanford of Rockland, before being recalled to the Navy, where he served on the USS Orleck and USS Hoquim in the Korean War. He was awarded the American Defense, Asian/Pacific Campaign, WWII Victory, China Service, Occupation of the Philippines, Korea National Defense, Korean Service, and UN Korean medals. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion and was proud of his service as a tin can sailor.
In the 1950s, Bob was very active in local Masonic fraternities. He was an accomplished musician, artist, and photographer. He played trombone, guitar, and bagpipes. He taught guitar in the Oil City area for years and played pipes in the Acacia Grotto Highlanders and the Grove City Pipe Band, performing in parades and competitions in the United States and Canada. He was photographer at many local weddings in the 1950s and 1960s and worked with Don Nosset Studios in Oil City. An accomplished painter, he exhibited in shows and galleries throughout the region and was a featured co-artist at the Transit Gallery, with his wife Ilene, a Master Weaver. He served on the board and as President of the Kennerdell Art and Music Festival for a number of years. He retired from the jewelry and art business in 1995.
Bob survived a coronary death experience in 1989 and was one of the longest surviving recipients of an implanted defibrillator unit. He was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, Oil City, serving on the Vestry and as a Lay Reader. He completed the Education for Ministry program with the School of Theology of the University of the South. He and his wife were Eucharistic Visitors for the church, taking Communion to those unable to attend services.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, special uncle, I. Royal Grimm, brother, William Elliston, and son-in-law, Mark Margherio. His beloved wife, Ilene, preceded him in death in 2008.
He is survived by his children, Matthew Royal Elliston, and his wife Laurie Snyder, of Clarion; Sarah Elizabeth Margherio of Oil City; and Mark Sanford Elliston of Oil City.; 5 grandchildren, Rachel Margherio Hood of Pittsburgh, Cara Margherio of Seattle, Eric Elliston of Orlando, Angela Elliston of Pittsburgh, and Marcia Elliston of Pittsburgh; step-grandchildren Spencer Yount of Clarion and Jared Yount of Erie; five great-grandchildren, Gabriella Elliston, Benjamin Elliston, Lillian Elliston, Aiden Elliston, and Gabriel Hilton; and by numerous nieces and nephews, including William Elliston of
Easton.
A memorial service of burial will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 16 Central Avenue, Oil City, at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 4, 2014. The family will receive friends and celebrate the life of Robert Elliston in Deacon Kapp Hall at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made to the Oil City Public Library or Christ Episcopal Church.
Please visit the Tribute Wall at Morrison Funeral Hometo share a memory or leave a condolence.