Sean Anthony Elliott

Born into Life December 4, 1968
Born into Eternity Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018

Parents: Cecile M. Elliott and Charles W. Elliott

Sean Anthony Elliott – Beloved Father, Life Partner, Son, Brother, Uncle, Brother-in-Law, and Friend was born into eternity on Easter Sunday, April 1st, 2018.

Sean was born the tenth of eleven children raised by Cecile and Charles Elliott in Chicago. He moved to Alaska in 1987, at the age of nineteen, and took his first job here processing fish. His work and humor got him whisked off the loading dock and hired on to the Dundas, the first of dozens of commercial fishing boats that would become his life's work. He trolled with brother-in- law Harv on the Erin Katie and then spent many years crewing on the Billy Marie in the Bering Sea, in Southeast on the Mar-Jo II, and on the Northern Sea, among many others. He met and fell in love with Brenda Petaja, his partner for thirty years. He was baiting long-line gear when he was called to the hospital where his first son was being born. Sean and Brenda's sons, Hans and Kristian are the proudest glory of his life. His granddaughter Ava Lea delighted his heart with her enthusiastic embrace of mud puddle stomping, which Sean taught her.

In his thirty years of commercial fishing, he loved the Bering Sea most of all, though he fished all over Alaska. Never daunted by difficult and terrifying circumstances in the wildest of oceans, Sean reveled in the otherworldly nature of fishing high seas. He was suited to it and excelled at it. Sean loved being a long-liner.

He could work the deck, fix the engine, cook a superior meal and have you laughing much of that time. He wielded incisive wit, irreverence which knew no bounds, and was the funniest man on the planet to those who knew him. He is the captain of his soul.

On Easter morning, the sea ushered him home, into the laughter and strong arms of his father and brothers, where they all bask in the love of God who adores them, as we all do. May our dear and beloved family man, and friend, be remembered for his strong heart, strong will, and absolute overwhelming love for those dear to him.

Sean was preceded in death by his father Charles W. Elliott, brothers Patrick and Stephen Elliott, great Aunt Sarah Burns, and nephew Ellery Cox DeAngelis.

He is survived by his mother Cecile M. Elliott; partner Brenda Petaja; sons Hans (Sophia) and Kristian Petaja; granddaughter Ava Lea; siblings Michael-Sean Elliott, Mary Sturgis, Eileen Tobon (Steve), Grace Elliott, Therese Elliott-Harvey (Harv), Maureen Elliott, Cecile Elliott, and Michael-Patrick Elliott; extended family Monita Lac; Mother-in- law Karin Petaja, Brothers-in-law Brandon and Billy Petaja, Steve Tobon, and Gerald Harvey; his many nieces and nephews, Leah (Frank), Rose, Charles, Aileen (Dave), Danny (Anna), Adam, Pat (Therese), Tess (Chris), Nori, Sarah, Laughton, Magy, and Gracie. He has numerous grand-nieces and nephews and cousins, all treasured by Sean.

A private family gathering was held in Juneau, April 6, and a remembrance in Sitka, April 9.

Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, 4/28/18, at St. Barnabas Church, 102nd and Longwood, Chicago, IL. 11:30 visitation; 12:30 mass with reception to follow in Church Hall.

For those wishing to support the family with end of life needs please go to:
https://www.gofundme.com/sean-elliott-bereavement-fund