Eli Arthur John Mitchell was born to Ken and Dorothy Mitchell on January 18, 1960, as Elizabeth Anne Mitchell. The fifth of six children, he went by Beth, until January 2023, when he proudly stepped into his new life as Eli.
Although a frail child, Eli grew into an active teenager, taking part in choir and drama clubs and playing trumpet in the high school band. He enjoyed sailing on his parents’ boat in his teen years, achieving Advanced Pilot level in Power Squadron. Mechanically inclined from a young age, he rode motorcycles and scooters well into middle age.
Eli trained as a radio operator at Red River College, earning the full certification in 1980 and finding his career in the process. After volunteering on a merchant ship to gain experience, he joined the Canadian Coast Guard as a radio operator. This job would see him living up North in Prince Rupert, out East in Sault Ste. Marie, and then back to the West Coast in Vancouver before he was finally transferred to Sidney, where he worked until his retirement in 2018.
In his time off from the Coast Guard, Eli fed a passion for travel and adventure, working as a nanny on a ranch in the Australian Outback and earning a teaching certificate from Brock University. Later in life, Eli explored the world through cruises that took him everywhere from Cuba to Antarctica, and he made friends everywhere he went.
Eli built deep connections in his community in Sidney. As an active member of St. Paul’s United Church, Eli took on various roles in support of their ministries. He followed family tradition in volunteering at the local thrift shop, and his family regularly received pictures accompanied with “Would this work for you?” He was an avid wood worker who enjoyed making wedding presents for his many nieces and nephews, puzzles for countless children, and Christmas decorations enjoyed by all.
Eli passed away on October 13, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. Although Eli left this world too soon, his last two years were some of the happiest of his life.
Eli was predeceased by his older brother Will and is survived by his siblings Trish, Candy, Don, and Heather, 15 nieces and nephews, and 18 great-nieces and nephews. His sudden loss is mourned by all those who knew and loved him.
Eli, joined the Victoria Arion Male Choir last year and we certainly enjoyed his passion for music. On behalf of the choir we would like to offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to his family and friends. His passing came as a shock as he started the new choir season in September. We will all miss you Eli.
Eli was a lovely person,he drove me to the hospital twice a week for over a year snd I got to know and admire him pretty well, my condolences go out to his family. I hope you find a little peace in knowing how much he was loved and admired.
Very sincerely
Catherine
I just heard of Beth/Elizabeth/ and Eli’s passing today. I had the good fortune to know all the wonderful qualities and friendships she/he brought to her community.
Beth and I were acquaintances in high school, where we played in the brass section of the Trail band—she on trumpet and me on euphonium. While we were not close in high school we became good friends and confidants in the latter part of 2000. I remember vividly the angst of her job associated with the Y2K bug and its impact to civil defense. Elizabeth was actively engaged in her community, an avid knitter, and loved her feline companions.
We lost touch for many years but reconnected during her transition as Eli. He was never more engaged, happy, and joyful. He traveled extensively with friends and made an everlasting impact on those he met. I will miss all of them and appreciate the time we spent together.