CHRISTOPHER ELKUS

1941 - 2014

ELKUS--Christopher James, passed away peacefully at his home in Ligonier, PA on Wednesday, July 16th following a long and progressive illness. He was born in New York City on February 7, 1941 and was raised in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of James H. Elkus and Lenore R. Elkus. His mother was a founder of WQED-TV in Pittsburgh and a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania. His father was an industrial engineer. His paternal grandfather, the Hon. Abram I. Elkus, served as US Ambassador to Turkey under President Wilson and as a judge on the New York State Court of Appeals. His maternal grandmother, Hulda Lashanska, was a celebrated American concert soprano. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Gretchen M. Elkus of Ligonier, PA, his son James M. EIkus and grand-daughter Sonya R. Elkus of New York City and his sister Peggy H. Elkus of Pittsburgh. His brother Jonathan H. Elkus of Geneva, Switzerland died in 2003. He is also survived by his stepchildren William M. Duryea of Tampa, FL and his children William, Peter and Andrew Duryea and Melissa Duryea Lewis of San Anselmo, CA and her children Olivia and Augusta Lewis. Mr. Elkus was a graduate of St. Paul's School in Concord, NH, Yale University and New York University School of Business. He resided in New York City throughout most of his adult life where he worked as an investment manager for large corporations and organizations such as the United Nations. He was dedicated member of his community and served as President of the Lenox Hi Neighborhood House, a multi-service organization that has served people in need on the East Side of Manhattan and on Roosevelt Island for over 120 years. He later founded Waterford Capital Management upon his retirement to Ligonier, PA. He was an avid sportsman, traveler and lover of the outdoors. While at St. Paul's he excelled at football, rowing and wrestling. Following his competitive sports years he enjoyed skiing, fishing, hunting, golf, squash and tennis. He was a member of the Racquet & Tennis Club and the Brook Club in New York, the Piping Rock Club on Long Island and the Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. His family extends their warmest thanks to his doctors and his dedicated caregivers Nan, Trudy, Tracy, Tammy M., Sue, Karen and Tammy T. A memorial service will be held at the Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier, PA on Saturday, September 6th at 11am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Paul's School with 'Elkus Family' in the memo section (Attn: Gifts Manager, 325 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH, 03301, 603-229-4713) or to the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House with 'Christopher Elkus' in the memo section (Attn: Development Department, 331 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021). The J. Paul McCraken Funeral Chapel, Inc., Ligonier, PA is assisting the family, 144 E. Main St., Ligonier, PA 15658.