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Known to the locals of South Redondo and Torrance Beach as the unofficial “Mayor of Burnout” due to his love of keeping the beach clean, David Hamilton Elliott lost his yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer on February 16.
Born on June 21, 1956 in Redondo Beach, the lifelong Redondo Beach resident launched his adventurous lifestyle by bombing the hill at Ave D on a skateboard. Skateboarding naturally led Elliott into surfing for the first time at age 8. The beach lifestyle would be his life path for the next 50 years.
“The Ocean is my church,” Elliott often said. He found peace, comfort and spirituality in the water and on the shores. Friends said he found a spiritual connection with the whales and dolphins and had many encounters with them.
“Surfed hard. Skateboarded hard. Worked hard. A nice soft-hearted guy,” said local surfer Billy McIntosh.
In his adult years, he lived in the Hollywood Riviera, where he routinely could be seen riding his bicycle on the Esplanade.
“Uncle Dave had a dedication to keeping the beach clean and always picked up a trash on his morning bike rides,” said nephew David Wells. “He’d always meet around sunset at Torrance Beach to chat up with locals known as the ‘4 o’clock Orange Group.’”
Over the past year, he was overwhelmed with the love, support and generosity of his friends and family. After being diagnosed, he decided to go after his lifelong dream of visiting the North Shore. Last December, his two boys Joe and Todd took him on a 10 day trip to visit the mecca of surfing.
After Hawaii, Elliot spent his last days in Marin County with his son Joe. He is survived by Joe and another son, Todd Elliott, grandson River Elliott, mother Valerie Elliott, sisters Cindy and Denise and a large close-knit family.
“David was a lifelong friend and fellow surf cat. He will live in my heart forever,” said best friend Danny Howe.
Memorial Service/Paddle-out: Sat. February 28, at 10 a.m. at Topaz, to honor and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to The American Cancer Society or Hospice in memory of David Elliott.
