Guy had so many qualities which made him such a great friend to so many of us, he was a fantastic husband, father, brother and uncle. As I attempt to highlight a few of these, he of course will be looking at us and wishing we would all stop talking about him, raise a glass and discuss something else.
A modest person, he achieved much in life but was never boastful or brash. His brother Mark was at pains to stress that his achievements were all the more remarkable since he and eldest brother Bruce all but cornered the market in “parental dotage” and Guy, well Guy just got on with it.
But he was very talented, v talented!
He showed great musical promise as a violinist from an early age. An integral part of the Stonehill Philharmonic Youth orchestra of East Sheen, it was his duet of a Mozart concerto that his sister in law Louisa recalls as bringing the house down. So good in fact he attended the Royal College of Music on Saturday mornings before the sports fields of West London and rugby took hold of his Saturdays. An accomplished skier, few people could carry off “an all in one lilac ski suit”, quite like Guy did when gracing the resorts of Bormeo and Morzine Two of his favourites). Guy “Bambi” Elliott played 107 times for Old Meadonians 1stXV, he was an astute tactician and kicker, and as a coach at Bracknell RFC he nurtured youth teams very successfully at every level.
No matter who you speak to, everyone remembers him as a bit of a comedian, a “prankster” always laughing himself and always looking to make others laugh.
During what was then the “five nations tournament”, he would name each of his teammates after their respective French international counterparts and then insisted on referring to them only by these Gallic aliases when he called the moves. The result was much confusion amongst the opposition, a little less with his teammates, but as always with Guy it was far outweighed by the laughter it created.
A more gregarious individual you could not wish to meet. Leaving school at 17, he learnt to wire and commission sound studios firstly with SHE audio and then Elliott Brothers, the family business that he and his eldest brother Bruce founded. Whilst boasting a string of prestigous clients such as the Royal Opera House, the Barbican and an OB unit covering superstars of the day such as ABBA, it was the Elliott brothers corporate entertainment strategy which was just as famous. Guy was at the heart of this endeavour. It centred around JD and Bollinger, the Lamb and Flag and the Café des Amis du Vin in Covent Garden, where he was able to demonstrate his extraordinary gift for getting along with others. A few years later , he seamlessly made the switch to the travel business as he and Lisa became tour representatives, spending a year supporting and catering to the needs of guests in Turkey. It was his calm, easygoing and humble nature which made him such a hit. The only exception to this statement would be Rugby referees. I spent quite a few Saturday afternoons partnering him in the centre, listening to him critique various refs, a trait he carried over effortlessly to the touchlines at Bracknell RFC.
In contrast to the fun loving prankster , underneath this jovial exterior was a very determined and focused person. He used to say he went to the “University of life”, and as he went on to carve a successful career for himself he rarely mentioned that he was only diagnosed as dyslexic when 14 yrs old. In building his own business “EMEA Gateway” he would rise at 5am every morning, ascend to his study in the attic, work a couple of hours before helping get the kids ready for school. It was this determination and spirit which shone through so evidently in the past 12 months as he fought cancer ‘head on’ and almost beat it but for a cruel twist of fate.
Talented, gregarious and a prankster on the one hand ,yet possessing a quiet steely determination on the other. A man who could ski a black run whilst in the evening wire up a house if necessary. All with a smile on his face.
But his greatest legacy was as a husband to Lisa, a father to Charlotte and Jacob. He loved and adored you all so very much.
Charlotte, you were the apple of his eye, always driving you around the country to attend dance competitions and auditions as you developed into an accomplished dancer. He would be v proud, although still a little concerned about your spending habits!. Jacob, he was proud of you in so many ways but I think it was your accomplishments at Rugby which topped the list.
The last time he was well enough to watch a game was your debut for Berkshire v Middlesex. Whilst you scored a try and played exceptionally well , I have to tell you, it did not stop him analysing in detail some of the finer points of your game as well.
Lisa, you were the love of his life and his best friend. Such a great team, you providing the strategic vision, Guy your wise counsel and confidante. Lisa you were also his anchor…Wherever he was in the world, he would always try and take the earlier plane home just be with you, because that’s where he was happiest with you and the family.
Guy, you were cruelly and prematurely taken from this life, but your legacy will stay with us all. It’s an all too rare occurrence in this world that so many people here had the honour of knowing and sharing wonderful times with a man universally referred to as a “great bloke”.
We will all miss you so very much, but cherish all those happy memories that you made possible.