James Elliot

1924 - 2017

James T. Elliot

James T. Elliot died peacefully at home in San Francisco on August 31, 2017, at the age of 93. He was born in San Francisco in 1924 as James Theodore Eliopoulos to Theodore James Eliopoulos and Gertrude Krause.

Jim was a lifelong resident of the city. Upon returning from his service in the U.S. Navy during WWII, he met his beloved Dolores Redmond. They were married for 37 years, until her passing in December 1984.

Jim was first and foremost a union man. He was a member of the International Association of Machinists, Lodge #1305, where he was the recording secretary for 20 years. In 1985 he retired after 37 years of service to the city, including 30 years as a foreman at the Golden Gate Park maintenance shop.

An outspoken union leader and civil rights activist, Jim was widely known for his groundbreaking interview in The Times of Harvey Milk, a film about the first openly gay U.S. politician elected to public office. The film won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature of 1984, and in 2012 was selected by the U.S. Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry.

He was a true San Franciscan. In the 1940s, Jim was a regular at Winterland and Sutro Baths ice skating rinks. He joined the San Francisco Silver Blades and became a champion speed skater and barrel jumper. Jim continued his athletic activities as a 50-year member of the San Francisco Archers and was certified as an archery instructor by the National Field Archery Association. His enthusiasm for archery and model railroads led him on several trips across the U.S. and Europe. He was also an avid bicyclist and golfer.

Following his relentless pursuit of learning and adventure, Jim earned his private pilot's license at the age of 63. He studied photography at the College of San Mateo and could often be seen with his camera and spotting scope in Golden Gate Park, watching the great blue herons nest at Stow Lake.

A passionate, lifelong member of the Democratic Party, Jim continued his unflagging service to the union in retirement. He was a member of FORUM (Federation of Retired Union Members), and traveled to Russia and China with the San Francisco Labor Council, AFL-CIO. He also joined the Retired Employees of the City and County of San Francisco (RECCSF), becoming an executive board member of RECCSF and then Protect Our Benefits; and the Peninsula Auto Machinists Lodge #1414 Retiree Club.

He is survived by his two sons John (Deb) and Ted, and daughter Maryann. He was preceded in death by his younger sisters June Bitter and Helen Hodge, mentor and childhood friend Mervin Feigenbaum, and union brother Frank Souza. Sincere gratitude to his caregivers Lidia and Jan and the entire Kaiser community care team.

Jim's ashes will be scattered on an outgoing tide, during a private family service under the Golden Gate Bridge. Donations are welcome to San Francisco Recreation & Parks, http://sfrecpark.org/support-your-parks/donate/