It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of William Donald Mark Elson (Bill) after a lengthy battle with cancer on July 4, 2023 at the Carmelite House in Grand Falls-Windsor at the age of 72.

Bill is predeceased by his parents Donald and Ella (Young) Elson, in laws Ernest and Betty (Scott) Dackers and in laws Eldon and Pearl (Chaulk) Goodyear, his first wife and mother of his daughter Jackie (Dackers) Elson, and the love of his life, his wife Violet (Goodyear) Elson, his infant daughter Michelle, Violet's son Ryan and his nephew Jeff Goodyear. Brothers in law Tony Hamilton, Leo Wall, George Goodyear, Baxter Goodyear, Sydney Goodyear, Newman Stokes and Harold West, sisters in law Mary Goodyear, Phyllis Goodyear, Mabel Stokes, Blanche West, Celma Goodyear and Linda Goodyear.

Bill leaves to mourn with many cherished memories his daughter Denise (Chris) Chaulk, grand daughters Melanie (Brad) Budgell, Nicole (Cody) Parsons, and Abby Chaulk, his grandsons Arrick Chaulk and Adam Elson, and his most cherished great grand daughters Jaime, Leah and Rebecca.
His sister Deanna Hamilton, brother Jim (Doranne) Elson and Terry Elson,  brothers in law Harvey Goodyear, Winston (Barbara) Goodyear, Carson (Ruby) Goodyear, Newman (Mildred) Goodyear, Leo (Joan) Goodyear and Peter (Mae) Dackers. Sisters in law Lorraine (Seaward) Mouland, Shirley Goodyear, Lynn Wall, Rosalind (Wesley) Stokes and a very large number of nieces and nephews.

Bill was born in Botwood, NL August 24, 1950 and moved with his family to Grand Falls at the age of three, on what is now known as the heights and anyone that lived in this area understands what that meant, it meant making friends that would last a lifetime!
He attended Grand Falls Academy where he completed grade 10, he married and become a dad in 1971 and at this point he decided to go to school to become a mechanic and it was a job that he was very good at it, unfortunately, a workplace injury forced him to have to retire from mechanic work while in his 30's, he then went on to school to become a small engine mechanic, a job he was very good at but didn't like, so he began driving truck and that is where he found his passion, he drove truck for over thirty years and often said he backed up more miles than most of us drove forward.

Before his injury, dad loved to salmon fish, grouting, moose hunting, even going in to get a load of wood, always with a good boil up of course. After moving to Ontario dad found a new hobby, golfing even though by his own admission, he wasn't very good at is but boy did he laugh telling stories about his golfing adventures.
And of course, his beloved Boston Bruins, there were quite a few 'discussions' about hockey, whether it was to shake his head and wonder where he went wrong raising a Habs fan, or to make fun of anyone and everyone that cheered for the Leafs, telling them they had to be brain dead and it would never be their year, and of course the phone calls with his brother Jim to discuss how bad the ref were.

He loved a good car show and enjoyed the Thursday evening shows at A&W each week and he loved to get up early to go to Tim's to have a coffee with his morning coffee buddies, and would laugh when they said it was time to go to work, while he was saying think I'll go sit on the couch and watch the idiot box (TV) for a while and I am sure both of these groups of friends will miss him terribly.
His laugh was infectious and will be remembered for many years to come along with his dry humour.

Dad, you were my first love, my hero, my confidante and my fiercest protector, I will miss you forever, always your little girl.

Visitation will take place at Kittiwake Funeral Home, Pound Cove from 7-9 Thursday July 6, and 2-4 and 7-9 Friday July 7. The service will be conducted by Rev. Lorne Bungay, 2:00 Saturday July 8, at Kittiwake Funeral Home, Pound Cove. Interment will follow at the United Church cemetery, Deadmans Bay.

Dad was so casual with all things the family would ask that you dress casually as well, jeans and T-shirt would be absolutely appropriate!

Pallbearers Owen Goodyear, Shannon Goodyear, Chad Hamilton, Dave Hamilton, Todd Stokes and Mackenzie Goodyear.
Honourary pallbearers Leo Goodyear, Jim Elson, Wilson Chaulk and Bob Tremblett.

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are gratefully accepted or donations may be made in his memory to the United Church Cemetery Fund, Deadman's Bay, NL