Colin W. Elliott

Colin William Elliott, M.D. passed away peacefully from advanced heart failure on Thursday, April 9, 2020, in his boyhood home overlooking McCoy Creek in Buchanan, Michigan. His brothers and their families were at his side. He was 70-years-old. Colin was the second of four sons born to J. Colin Elliott, M.D. and Araxie (Roxie) Goshgarian Elliott, who both preceded him in death. His father, J. Colin Elliott was born and raised in Middlebury, Indiana. J. Colin finished medical school at Indiana University in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the war ended, he was assigned to Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he would meet Roxie Goshgarian, from Waukegan, Illinois. Roxie had recently graduated from Northwestern University and was employed by the Department of the Navy. She was the daughter of immigrants who escaped the Turkish genocide of the Armenian people. Internship, courtship, residency, relocation to a house on Chippewa Street in Buchanan, and an office rented above the Marazita Sweet Shop on Front Street followed, and, on March 20, 1950, Colin William Elliott was born. Young Colin attended Buchanan Elementary, Junior High and Senior High School in the same building on Chicago Street. With a brilliant mind often frustrated by the lack of a meaningful challenge, he developed new and creative ways to show up late for school even though his family lived just a few hundred yards away. He was a strong athlete playing football, tennis and wrestling with skillful tenacity. Colin was the starting tackle (both ways) on the 1967 football team, which was the last of the dominant Buchanan High School teams of the 1960’s. In his formative years, Colin developed an appreciation for a career in medicine because of his father. Through his mother, Colin derived respect for the Armenian people and had no tolerance for bigotry or prejudice. After graduating from Indiana University in Bloomington, Colin earned his medical degree from Wayne State University, worked in Litchfield, Michigan for several years, and then returned to Buchanan to practice medicine in the same office his father had occupied on the east side of the Wisner-Beck Pharmacy building. He was a small-town boy with a big heart who treated his patients with skill and compassion; those unable to find care anywhere else knew they could always count on Dr. Elliott. His family also knew that Colin would be there whenever needed. Uncle Colin was a second dad to his nieces and nephews, and could be found cheering them on at school activities and sporting events. If they were sick, he was there. Uncle Colin never missed a birthday or holiday celebration. He was their rock. Anyone who knew Colin can attest to his being a gentleman. He carried himself with decency and attention to kindness, and had a wry sense of humor, but never used it to slight or embarrass others. Family and friends were the beneficiaries of his unconditional love. Colin is survived by his brothers Larry, Gary (Anne), and Mac (Marta); nieces, Katie, Katherine, Sarah, Roxie and Emily; and nephews, Michael and Mac Jr. Donations in his memory, donations can be made to the Buchanan District Library or Niles District Library in care of Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, 111 S. Days Ave., Buchanan, MI 49107. Donations may also be made online at https://mgcf.org/become-a-donor. A memorial service will be held in the late spring or early summer.