Elliott Leyton

August 21, 1939 to February 14, 2022

Obituary

Elliott Leyton, who the London Times called the “Godfather of criminal psychology,” died peacefully at Kenny’s Pond Retirement Residence in St. John’s, NL at age 82. During a long career at Memorial University of Newfoundland, he transformed the way people think about homicide, serial killers, and mass murder. Based on this work, he advised the RCMP, the FBI, and Scotland Yard. He oft said, though, that he was most proud of a book about the miners and families who worked in Newfoundland’s fluorspar mines. At home, he showed us the joy of passionately throwing yourself into everything, books, ideas, shotguns, kayaks, pickled herring, lemon pie, and love of family. He leaves behind Bonnie, his beloved wife of 63 years; his brother, Bryan; two sons, Marco and Jack; grandson, Mark; and great-grand-daughters, Charlie and Callie-Ann. A private family service will be held in Vancouver on February 18.

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My dear Elliott. I hate finding out that you died through the Internet, which does remind me, though, you were the first person I knew with email and I wrote to you by handing over holographs to another tech savvy friend. We only met in person once, and amazingly, on the Toronto Pearson airport shuttle, we overheard a young man pompously lecturing his girlfriend about you. I venerate you and love you forever, I send sympathy to your wife whom you love so much, and I am at least glad you get to see Bazzie the Wonder Dog once more. Thank you for your work, your support and goodness, tough guy. 💙

An incredibly important thinker, Mr Leyton’s take on criminology and his trilogy of books on murder have had a profound effect on my intellectual imagination. His prose style was engaging as well as informative.

Hello, I live on a farm near the small prairie village, Prelate Saskatchewan, where Elliott was born and spent the first 8, or so, years of his life. However, I didn’t come to know him until about 1980 when he began what came to be annual hunting trips to the area near his boyhood home. I enjoyed many great visits and conversations with him and Bonnie over the years. Of course, his widely renowned writing and work in the dark topic of murder, was fascinating. More than that, though, I liked being with him and others from my immediate and extended family, on hunting adventures in the great Saskatchewan prairies. I’ve stayed in touch with him over the years and spoke to him on the phone within the last couple of months, at which time he sounded quite well. We, in Saskatchewan, didn’t hear about his sudden passing until a few days ago.
I am deeply saddened. I wish to extend my condolences to Bonnie, Marco and Jack, their families and so many other family members and friends. The many, many kind and thoughtful messages that have been submitted are a testimony to the fine man that Elliott was. I will miss him.

Dear Bonnie and family. I am so sad to hear of Elliott’s passing. Elliott and my late husband C. James (Jim) Richardson became friends when they President and President-Elect of the Canadian Sociology (and Anthropology) Association. And I got to know Elliott somewhat in that context. Bonnie I know we met at the meetings, but I don’t recall which years. But it would have been many long ago.
Death of a loved one is never easy, but I hope you can find some comfort in your family and many friends and those who remember Elliott with fondness and respect. Sending warm wishes and condolences . Be well.

My mother in law just told me of professor Leyton’s passing my condolences go out to your whole family. He was my war and aggression prof in 1989.
I still tell his stories he is still in my thoughts and stories. What a amazing legacy he left to the world.
The heavens received a remarkable man!

Georgia USA

What a sad discovery reading my Saturday’s Globe & Mail this morning and seeing that Elliott had passed away.. My name is Marcel Reux and I was a student at MUN from 1973 to 1977; while there, I enrolled in the Kenpo Karate Club and this is where I met Dr. Layton who was a brown belt by then and taught some classes in Kenpo at the University. I have great memories of him and his emphasis on proper technique and respect for the other. He was a real mensch. I want to offer my sincere condolences to the whole family.

Elliot was a great help and encouragement to me in 1984 when I was working on my first Canadian Disasters book. Having worked in a mine myself, I found Dying Hard, Elliot’s book about the fluorspar mines near St. Lawrence and Lawn such an excellent and heartbreaking account of this terrible Canadian tragedy. It remains one of my most treasured books. Unlike many authors who are guarded about sharing, Elliot was generous and helpful. May he rest in peace.

Bonnie, I was so sorry to hear of Elliot’s passing. Our family has some wonderful memories of Elliot and our time together. Elliot always had a larger than life presence and he will be sorely missed but remembered well. Thinking of you at this difficult time.

Evan and Michele Kipnis

Bonnie, Marco, Jack and family,
I was saddened to hear of Elliott’s recent passing. I have many memories of our early days in Torbay when, as classmates of Jack’s we would be welcomed to your home. We enjoyed the music and always had intriguing conversations with Dr. Leyton and you, Bonnie, would share your latest interests in pottery.

Later in life as I became a member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) and then ADM of Justice & Public Safety, Dr. Leyton’s wisdom and insight became more relevant and I was always grateful for the time he would be so willing to spend and share his knowledge with our colleagues. There is no doubt he made a difference for many and he will long be remembered for the lasting impact he made in NL. We were fortunate to have known Dr.Leyton. My sincere condolences to you all.

To the Family – My sincerest condolences on Dr. Leyton’s passing. A truly great professor who I will never forget. I enjoyed every moment of his classes and conversations with him. He may not have been born a Newfoundlander – but he certainly became one. Never forgotten.

My condolences to the family. He was a mentor of mine and a great professor. I am sad to hear of his passing.

Brian Walsh
Mental Health Clincian with Richmond B.C. RCMP Mental Health Car.

We hope you can find comfort in the memories and celebration of Elliott’s life.
Ed & Jill Sharpe and family.

Condolences to you and your family.

Dear Bonnie and Family,
It was with great shock and sorrow that I recently learned of Elliott’s passing. I met Elliott when he joined our Kenpo Karate Club at MUN. He would pick me up on Saturdays on his way up from Torbay. He would come by early and talk to Mom and Dad about the ‘old times and ways’ and political ‘goings on’ during the Smallwood and previous eras. Elliott of course had great insight in these matters. In Kenpo he played a major role in teaching and presenting our needs to the Phys.Ed director, Mr. Foster. In this regard he was most successful! I learned a tremendous amount about life through our many conversations and I am indebted to him for his guidance ,support and help.
Please accept my deepest sympathies coupled with the fondest of memories.

Dear Bonnie and family,
David and I were so sorry to learn that Elliott had died last week. We send our condolences to you and your family. He was such a warm and witty man, a man of many talents and will be missed by friends, colleagues, readers and students. Elliott and you have a long history of being generous and convivial hosts. We have such fond memories of times spent together. We send our sympathy and warm hugs.
with love,
Pamela Hodgson and David Graham

Jeannie and I were sorry to learn of Elliott’s death and Bonnie’s illness. We’ve known them both for more than 50 years and, although we hadn’t seen them much in recent years, continue to think of them as good friends. I used Elliott’s book, Dying Hard, in my course on Newfoundland Society and Culture, and my daughter, Vanessa enjoyed his course on War and Aggression.
Condolences to all the family.
Doug and Jeannie House

I was saddened to hear of Elliott’s death. Elliott was one of the clearest thinkers, in our field, and will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family. May his memory be a blessing. זכרונו לברכה
Peter Collins
Operational Forensic Psychiatrist
Ontario Provincial Police

Dear Bonnie,
Judy & I are saddened to learn of Elliot’s death .and extend our deepest condolences to you. We still talk of the visit we made to Newfoundland many years ago and recall the hospitality you showed us during our few days in St. John’s.

May you be spared from further sorrow.
Judy & Sid Brail

To Bonnie & Family
Elliott was a warm and intellectual friend. He was the second person I became friendly with when I was moved to Vancouver. He had deep understanding of anthropology, and criminology. I’ll never forget his friendship and how he encouraged me to work for a PHD. He was a real friend.

Love
Mark

I read his book ‘Hunting Humans’ and found it riveting and had the good fortune to hear him speak at a conference. My condolences to Elliot’s family.

Elliot was a wonderful friend and profound scholar whose camaraderie and wit will be sorely missed.

Dear Bonnie (and your wonderful family):
Shelly and I were so sorry to read Elliott’s death notice. It came as a shock to me, since my memories of Elliott were so anchored in our early years in Vancouver when we were all just kids. It was such a joy to see Elliott and you years later in Toronto, and to realize how much I still cared greatly about Elliott. When my brother Gary died–who was Elliott’s close friend in those AZA days–I was so touched when he wrote his sadness to me.
Love to you, from
Coleman & Shelly Romalis

Dear Bonnie, Marco and Jack, deepest sympathy on the passing of Elliott. He was a special man and, with Bonnie, was one half of truly wonderful couple. I am so sorry for your loss.

My condolences to all of you during this difficult time. Thank you Dr Leyton for the many things you did during your years at Memorial University, as well as in the Newfoundland community. Rest in peace.

My condolences to all of you during this difficult time.

It was always a pleasure to see Dr. Layton. No matter where we ran into each other we would always get to have a grand chat. A true gentleman and noted scholar. Rest In Peace. My condolences to Dr. Layton’s family.

So sorry Bonnie, you and your family are in my thoughts. Sending love and hugs and hoping you are sharing some wonderful memories.

Our love to you dear family of Elliott. And thanks for the time we have had with Elliott.

Sincere condolences to you all! Mr. Leyton was an amazing professor and he taught me many course at MUN! He was so interesting and inspiring! So sorry for your loss!
AnnMarie Mitchelmore

Elliott was a first cousin of my grandfather, Earl Michael Levson, although they never knew each other. Growing up in Philadelphia, I often heard stories of my grandfather’s long-lost Canadian cousins, including Bryan and Elliott. At the age of 14, having developed a nascent interest in genealogy and newly-formed internet skills, I discovered Elliott’s faculty email address and reached out, explaining who I was and our familial connection. While Elliott was surprised by my age, he graciously commenced a 20 year pen pal relationship and sent me his books, videos of his interviews, and other family documents which he thought might be of interest to my genealogical pursuits. My discussions with Elliott over the years were wide-ranging, including his keen observations of our shared ancestors, my chosen field of psychology, his love of fine watches and rifles, and his Labrador Misha.

Fueling my genealogical interests even further, Elliott introduced me to other relatives, such as his sons, grandson, brother, nieces, and another shared cousin in Vancouver. I am deeply grateful for the faraway but meaningful relationship I was able to form with Elliott and for the grandfatherly support he has provided all of these years. My one regret is that I never took Elliott up on his many invitations to visit him in Newfoundland. My sincere condolences to Elliott’s close family and friends.

He was a captivating professor with a wicked sense of humour. I still regularly find myself smiling and laughing at his comic asides, many years after taking his course..

While professors are, in essence, transient characters in one’s life, he had a magic about him that left an indelible mark on all those fortunate enough to attend his lectures.

I am grateful to have met someone so memorable and impactful. I can only imagine the impact he had on those he loved and knew well.

My thoughts are with the family and friends of this remarkable man.

I am saddened to hear of Elliott’s passing.
Bonnie, I have wonderful memories of the times I spent with you and Elliott. He was such a great thinker and a fountain of wisdom!
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Linda Coles

I did some landscaping work for Mr Layton at his home in St.philips. He was always a joy to talk to. Always wondering what I was thinking. One day while staring at his property trying to design a plan for a natural privacy screen, I heard his voice behind me say. Tell me what your thinking. We spoke for an hour in the rain and he said I trust you will do the right thing. Wonderful man.

Everyone has that one professor who was truly inspiring, who challenged you to think at a higher level. Elliott was that person for so many people. You always wanted to work extra hard for him, because you never wanted to let him down.

I can say with confidence that I would not be where I am today without him. I think of him often and am forever indebted to Elliott for his mentorship and support.

Bonnie and family, I am terribly sorry for your loss.

Be proud of him and carry him always. He was a great educator to so many. Sorry for your loss.

I am both shocked and saddened to hear about the loss of Dr. Peyton. He had a way of making a strong impact on anyone fortunate enough to have met him. Dr. Leyton taught me how to critically think beyond what seemed humanly possible. I was very lucky to have been taught not once but twice by him. Honestly he was the professor who had the strongest impact on me, both personally and professionally.

To you Bonnie and your family I offer heart felt condolences and know even back many years ago Dr. Leyton has left a lifelong impact on my life, and many others students as well.

Bonnie and Family,
Our sincere condolences to all of you. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Irene Brown and Fergus O’Byrne

So sorry to hear of Dr. Leyton’s passing. Hands down one of the most interesting and engaging professors I have ever head. My sincere condolences to his family.

I met Elliott back in 1980s. What an interesting man. He was intense and yet very gentle natured. He was kind and generous. He told me all about the guns he owned, and all the hunting trips he been involved with. I really enjoyed my short time with him. Rest in Peace Elliott.

Very sorry to hear this sad news. Elliott was a remarkable man who was prepared to confront social issues that most of us turn away from. He wanted to make a difference.
My condolences to Bonnie, Marco and Jack

Dear Bonnie, I am so sorry. my sincere condolences.to you and your entire family. I often wondered how you were both doing and your furry companions. Always enjoyed my short visits.

So sorry to hear of Dr. Leyton’s passing. His work and my interactions with him during my undergraduate degree helped shape the direction of my academic career. My condolences to you Bonnie, please take care of yourself and stay well.

We are very sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing. James and Joan Hiller

Dr. Leyton was such an inspiration to me growing up. The only thing I wanted for my 12th birthday was a copy of “Hunting Humans” (which I got!) and years later I was lucky enough to have him as a professor at MUN. After our first class, I told him how my parents bought me his book for my 12th birthday and he looked at me, a little bewildered, and said, “Your parents are crazy!” While I didn’t end up going into the criminal justice field, his work is still influential to me to this day. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing and feel privileged to have crossed paths with him all those years ago.

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Leyton. Though I did not know him personally he did have an effect on my thinking of the human psyche. I did his course in the late eighties after years of trying to get in it due to its popularity. I once gave my cards to a crying girl who needed a sociology course to graduate. In my final year, I hoped I would have that experience however the department said there was a waiting list, “go see that guy over there” I did and he said to go to the first class. I said well it’s a night class and I have to get the bus from downtown. II said I had tried for 4 years to get in, If I go to class I want to be in. He handed me the cards and said “you’re in”. I was pretty surprised to see that it was the man himself in the lecture hall. I never forgot what I learned about people and society in his course. My condolences to his family.

Sorry to hear about the passing of Elliot Leyton.
His book “Dying Hard” about the hardships endured by the miners of St. Lawrence is a must read for any native of this province.
He remembered us before it became “cool” to do so and for that I am grateful.I never had the luck or opportunity to meet the man but I want to say THANK YOU…………rest in peace.

Dear Bonnie:
So sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing. He was a very special person and I feel privileged to have known him.
My deepest condolences.

He was a very special man! Always interested in people . He and his wonderful wife BONNIE where great hosts at their lovely home with a great view! Their dinner/supper with friends was unique. We had the pleasure of talking about the protection of the little Puffins in a small Comunity of Witless Bay.
He was interested to learn how a German Couple come as tourists, teaching the rescue and bringing people together !
He loved the talk during a fine dining.. we are missing you! We love you Bonnie! Our deepest condolences to to the Sons and all in the family!
Juergen&Elfie Schau Berlin/Witless Bay.

My condolences to Bonnie and family. My wife Gina and I met the amazing couple through mutual friends of ours. Elliot was a beautiful soul and will be sorely missed.
Sincerely Adrian and Gina Noordhof

I was saddened to hear of Dr. Leyton’s passing, I remember him fondly from when I did his course “War and Aggression” at MUN, the summer of 1992. He has a serious side but also kept the class fun with his humorous side. I remember at one class as I sat in the front row that Dr. Leyton asked if anything could be done about the noisy whales by his house in St. Philip’s, and I told him “Just enjoy the beauty of nature and there was nothing that could be done”.

As a matter of fact, it was just 2 days ago I spoke to my daughter about Dr. Leyton and his course and told her to read his book “Hunting Humans” as she is doing a course at Mt. Saint Vincent University here in NS where we now live, and I looked Dr. Leyton up on the internet and read about him on Wikipedia.

Dr. Leyton made a huge impact on all his students, and left many with great memories.

My deepest condolences to his wife, and family.

Erin Maddox-Alexander
Halifax Regional Municipality
Halifax, NS

Over a half century of memories of Elliot’s sparkling intellect; of happy Sunday afternoons in Torbay; and so much more. To Bonnie, Marco and Jack — my deepest condolences.

Thank you, Dr. Leyton. Your brilliant insight, humour, support and kindness will not be forgotten. My sincere condolences to his family.

Dear Bonnie,
Sorry for your loss.. Love and blessings,
Iakov

Bonnie and family
So sorry to her of Elliott;’s passing.
I always enjoyed his humor as well as his knowledge and eagerness to teach. May his memory be a blessing.
Avrum Richler.

What a great friend and amazing human being. Brilliant, fearless and very soft hearted. An outstanding thinker who cared passionately about people. The world shines less brightly without him.
RIP Elliott.

Dr. Leyton’s influence on others spans many countries. His work was an inspiration to me and so many others that has led to scholarly works produced and scholars trained. His influence will be felt for many years to come. A man without pretense, Elliott engaged us all with wit, kindness, and friendship. His reason for retiring he made very clear. He was going to spend time with his “honourable grandson”. He will be missed. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Dear Bonnie, my condolences to you and your family. I have many fond memories of Elliott.

From a friend from long ago.

Bonnie and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Dr. Leyton was a wonderful friend and employer, and my visits with you both are among my fondest memories.

Rest in peace. You were one of a kind. Professor, mentor, friend. My sincerest condolences to your family and friends

Bonnie, I am very sad to hear of Elliott’s passing.
Please accept my condolences. He will be sorely missed.

Karen Stewart

My deepest sympathy to Bonnie, Marco and Jack.
It was my privilege to have known Elliott at MUN and to have appreciated his gifts as a person of
warmth and wit, as a teacher who kept his students
enthralled, and as a researcher who achieved
world-wide fame.
Rest in peace, dear Elliott.

Jack and family. Sorry for your loss.

Elliott was a raconteur par excellence. Whether talking about hunting birds or humans, he was most entertaining. A unique character, he fit well within the Newfoundland psyche. As a great host and entertainer, he will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have crossed his path.
We are thinking of his family at this sad time.

My sincere condolences on the passing of D.r. Leyton. I, like thousands of other young students at Memorial University, had the pleasure of taking several courses from him and he was by far my favourite professor.

I remember the first night of class for “War and Aggression” – it was held in the largest lecture theatre the building had, it was totally full, and there were still people who showed up and sat on the steps. Dr. Leyton didn’t care one bit. “As long as you have a spot to sit, you can stay in th class” was his attitude.

He was fascinating, erudite, witty, and you worked hard for your marks. He definitely made me a better writer and I was so thrilled when he gave me great feedback on my papers.

We had a long chat one evening after class when I told him that Hunting Humans was giving m bad dreams, and he replied, “Can you imagine some of the dreams I’ve had researching and writing all this?” We discussed lots of things that evening, and it meant so very much to a young student.

Newfoundland has lost a great man.

Sincere sympathies go to the entire Leyton family.

Dear Bonnie ,
I am so sorry to hear of Eliot’s passing. He was not only a great teacher and mentor but you both became great friends. I have so many great memories of visits to your home with great food, wine and conversations. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Iris Inkpen

I remember when I first met Elliot. I was a young boy with 10 siblings living in a house in Torbay with my parents and grandparents. Bonnie and Elliot bought land from my father and lived next door for a number of years. I used to wash Elliot’s corvette. Later when I married my wife and I used to housesit for Elliot and Bonnie .
Condolences to Bonnie Marco and family from Austin and Bernice

Sorry for your loss from the management staff at pjs convenience.

Bonnie and Family, I was so sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing.. I remember him fondly from my days in ISER..

Dear Bonnie:

I am Elliott’s literary agent . I am very sorry to lose him. You and I never met but he spoke of you often. Elliott was a talented writer and thinker –I always enjoyed the short visits we had when he was travelling through Toronto. My deepest sympathies.

Dear Bonnie and family, our sincere condolences on Elliott’s passing. We will always remember all the evenings( and nights) spent together in discussions. It was always a pleasure on all levels to spend time with the Leytons . Elliott will be missed. Our hearts go out to Bonnie and family.

Very sorry to learn of Elliott’s passing.. Such a generous and lively man. I always enjoyed talking with him.

Elliott had just published Dying Hard when I met him, and his dedication with the miners’ families left a deep impression with me. He made a difference in the world. So sorry Bonnie, Marco, Jack and the family for your loss. Take care.

I did the sociology course, War and Aggression from Dr. Leyton back in the early 90’s. I enjoyed every minute of his lectures. Educational and Entertaining. Thank you Dr. Leyton. Rest In Peace, sir.

Bonnie and family, my deepest condolences for your loss. Elliott was my favourite professor in the early ’80’s – enthralling me with his stories from the very 1st class. I never missed an opportunity to take his classes and read his books. He truly was one-of-a-kind; so talented and engaging, entertaining and witty, warm and kind. I shall remember him always as a highlight of my university days. My heart goes out to all of you…

Dear Bonnie and family our sympathy on the loss of Elliot his powerful personality and independent mind was always a breath on fresh air . when we met. I was Fortinbras and Elliot played my captain Hamlet is four hours long , our parts ,maybe 15 minutes. We spent a lot of time together , waiting to go on ,and became fast friends .. He is our irreplaceable irreverent thinker. .we won’t see there like again. .

My heartfelt condolences to Bonnie and family. Elliott was a huge influence on me from my university days and beyond. I will forever cherish our walks in the woods with his beloved Bazy girl, and our great conversations about everything. I will be eating our favorite noodles and watching MST3K tonight in your honour, my friend!

I don’t remember how I, and Elke, got to know both Elliot and Bonnie, most remarkable and wonderful people. I was particularly grateful to Elliot for agreeing to talk to a class of engineering students at MUN on the impact – not least the adverse aspects in some places and circumstances, such as in mining operations on the Burin Peninsula – which engineering can have, and which Elliot had researched and published.
Our condolences are extended to all the family and friends.

Dear Bonnie and family: I am so very sorry to hear this sad news. I was lucky to have had Elliott as a teacher during my undergrad years and then as a colleague, when I first started teaching at Memorial. More than any of my other undergraduate professors, Elliott instilled in me an awareness of the importance of writing clearly and well, and an enduring commitment to honing our craft . I am honoured now that I sometimes get to teach one of his old courses: The Craft of Writing Anthropological Narrative. Beyond all that, Elliott was always kind to me, and his messages were invariably entertaining, I am thinking of you all.

Bonnie and family. I send my sincere sympathies to you all at this very difficult time. Apart from his many academic achievements, my memory of Elliott is that he always enlivened any dinner party or social event.

I was so sorry to hear this sad news yesterday. While I knew of Elliott from my days as a student at MUN , it was years later that I met him through art and my connection to Bonnie. In my mind he will always the other half of Bonnie. A great loss for you Bonnie and your family. .

Remembering Elliot with great joy, and sending condolences to Bonnie, Marco, Jack and all the family. We will always remember both his kindness and our provocative discussions. May his memory be for a blessing. Elizabeth-Anne Malischewski and Robert Sweeny

My sincere condolences to Elliot’s family. He had the unique talent and ability of being able to inspire young minds only a decade younger than himself when he came to MUN. He conducted classes with intelligence, knowledge, fervour, open mindedness, charm and great humour. In a lecture hall you felt he was speaking directly to you. And in private conversations he wore kindness on his sleeve. We shall not see one like him again.

Bonnie and family, my deepest condolences to you all on Elliott’s passing. Although we had fallen out of touch in recent years, Elliott frequently came to my mind, and I am very grateful for the many years of friendship that we shared. Always such a gentleman and a joy to be around, I have Elliott to thank for introducing me to kayaking, which became one of the great joys of my life after many years of resistance and insistence on my part that he would never, ever, see me on the ocean in a plastic boat. Thinking of all his friends and family today as you grieve but also celebrate a wonderful man and a life well lived.

To Bonnie and family, sincere condolences as we celebrate the life of an extraordinary person, Elliott Leyton, who stood so tall in all his endeavours. It was a privilege to know him. This is a time for grieving and letting the tears flow, as the memories bring joy as well.

Bonnie, Marco and family,
My heart is with you at this very sad time. Sending my sincere condolences and comfort to you all.
In peace
Sheilagh

Dearest Bonnie,
You and Elliott were an inspiration for all of us who came to Memorial in the those adventurous days of the 70s.Your originality,energy and joy contributed to the lives of everyone who knew you both.We dearly miss Elliott’s passion,friendliness and irreverence.
Our whole-hearted condolences to you and your family at this sad time.

Annette and Michael Staveley

My condolences to Dr. Leyton’s family. What a legacy he has left behind. He was a gift to our province and he developed and opened many minds – mine included. I talked to him about how one of his lectures resonated with neo marxist work I was reading in Political Science. At the final exam, he asked me to ignore all the written questions and just write about that. That was 35+ years ago and it still resonates with me. I remember so much from his lectures/stories. His fascination with the topics was infectious. A true explorer. Rest in Peace Dr. Leyton.

My time with Professor Leyton was unforgettable and ignited a passion in me to follow in his footsteps. Those of us who attended MUN and were able to take his class(es) were truly privileged.

The advice he gave me before embarking on my academic journey still rings true today.

Thank you Professor Leyton.

Ms Leyton and family please accept my condolences. He left a meaningful impact on so many of us.

my heartfelt condolences to you bonnie & all the family
your neighbor from across the road, terry

So sorry to read this. He was the highlight to y undergrad years at MUN. Such an interesting person and a fabulous story teller. My condolences to you all.
Rest Easy Dr. Leyton.

My sincere condolences to Elliott’s family! I enjoyed my talks with him in the 1990s and always benefitted from our conversations. Rest in peace, dear friend and colleague!

Bonnie and family. We are so sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your family. Elliott made the world a better place by simply being here. He will be truly missed.
Love Beth and Ray

May your memories be a source of comfort to you and your family! I only got to meet Elliot a few times through my dealings with you and from thiose I came away with the feeling he was a kind man and an adoring husband..

Myra

I was very fortunate to have Dr. Leyton as a professor at Mun during my degree years in the . Iate 80s. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him and even though it was difficult reading the books he assigned which were heavy reads,. I did not miss one 3 hr class with him I looked forward to it. He was a very nice man as I experienced in some short conversations with him after class. > So sorry for your loss.

My sincere condolences to Bonnie, his family, friends and everyone who loved him.

Our sympathies to Bonnie and the Leyton family. A sad time, indeed. Caroline and Gerry Stone, neighbours on St Thomas Line

Mrs. Leyton, , Marco, and Jack – So very sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Leyton. Thinking of all of you. He was a brilliant man.

I am very sorry for your loss. He was my favourite professor at MUN. He was absolutely captivating. He will be missed.

My thoughts are with you during this time. I am so sorry for your loss.

Elliot was an amazing lecturer who could have easily had a career in standup comedy as he made the driest subject entertaining. He was a mentor to me and my coauthor when we began our writing careers. Elliot welcomed us into his home and explained both the process of writing and more importantly, how the business worked. He was a great writer, researcher and teacher, but I will remember him most for his kindness. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Bonnie, Marco and Jack, so very sorry to hear this news. Elliott was a brilliant mind. As a young man we had a few conversations that I cherish to this day. Love and prayers to you all. I will never forget this gentle man.

Deeply saddened regarding the passing of Mr. Leyton. I will forever enjoy the autographed copy of ‘Hunting Humans. The first time I met him, I had been at Coles Book Store and I heard this voice along the side of me say, “That’s a good study for any student with interest in the criminal mind.” – Elliot Leyton

I had the great pleasure of being Mr Leyton’s student in 1996. He was so very interesting that I attended his course twice more, just to listen to his lectures. He was a very nice person, having met him on a couple of occasions away from university, we had some very wonderful conversations.

I wish to send my sincere condolences to Mrs Leyton and family. He was a person who touched the hearts of many students, and will always be remembered and truly appreciated.

We were so sincerely saddened to hear the news of Elliott’s passing today. We have many happy memories of our Cinematic and Literary Appreciation Society – ad libbing over bad movies, pot lucks, Stephs’ amazing date crumbles, and being the lucky recipients of Bonnie and Elliott’s generosity and kindness. It was always a treat to be invited to their home.

Elliott was a prince among men. A truly rare person. We send our heartfelt condolences to Bonnie, Jack, Marco, and all of his beloved family.

His books were great but he was also such a fantastic lecturer. War and Agression in the mid 80’s was really something to look forward to..
Steve Crocker

My condolences to his family. I hope you find comfort in your memories of Elliot.

Sadly, I didn’t join the Anthropology Department until after Elliot had retired. However, I was blessed to be graced by his presence on the odd occasion and had many phone calls with him during my stint in the office. His humor was a breath of fresh air every time he called. We had many common interests and he always enjoyed a good chat. Such a wealth of knowledge! I bet it would have been a blast to work there during his tenure.

His thoughtfulness and kindness shone through years after I moved elsewhere on campus as he continued to send Christmas cards and updates. I was both shocked and saddened to read of his passing today. May his memories and kind spirit live on forever!

I had the pleasure of meeting Elliott on a number of occasions and always found him a fascinating person to be around. My sincere condolences to Bonnie, Marco and J ack and all the family and friends.

So sorry to hear. Such an inspiration to so many for so long. Deepest condolences to Bonnie and all family. May you be consoled and may God bless. Never forgotten.

Marco and Jack

Very sorry to read about the passing of your father.

Sending you hugs.

(Ironically my father also wrote a book about the fluorspar mines of St. Lawrence!)

Bonnie and family. so sorrow to hear of Elliot’s passing. Unfortunately we have lost touch over the years but always enjoyed having you visit regularly when you lived in Torbay. Elliot was always so engaging as a guest. May he rest in peace.
Maurice & Neil

Dear Bonnie and family – please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of Elliott.

My deepest condolences to the family, this was a man I admired and loved my entire life, my heart aches

Rest well Elliot. May the birds be plentiful and the shotguns Italian. A more reluctant travelling companion I never had. I can’t think of anyone more responsible for the paths I took in life. Much love and condolences to Bonnie and family.

Bonnie and Family,
We are very sad to hear the news that Elliott has passed away. The last time we had the chance to chat with you both in person was around the time of Elliott’s 80th Birthday. Time passes too quickly. We thoroughly enjoyed talking and emailing with Elliott – he always offered a unique perspective on the issues of the day, punctuated by a wry comment (or two)… to our delight.
Sending our love and sympathy at this difficult time.
Mary-Lou and Bill

Bonnie- very sad to hear of Elliot ‘s passing. He was a great guy!

Oh Bonnie, I just heard this very sad news. Please accept my sincere condolences. Kathryn Welbourn

Much love to you all. So much care and warmth to Bonnie, family and dear friends.

An amazing life and a tremendous loss to the social sciences. Such a talented writer and thinker who will be missed!

So sorry for your loss. Dr Leyton was one of my favourite professors during my time at MUN. I was a student there in the late 80s when Elliot was teaching War & Agression, also one of my favourite courses. Such an amazing and engaging person. RIP Elliott.

Just wanted to send my condolences to Elliott’s family. He made me want to be a better writer and student. There was nothing more satisfying than receiving a great mark from him in class because you you truly earned your grade. His books were my favourite, his lectures and stories were enthralling, and I think most fondly of exchanging emails and sharing a cup of coffee at his lovely home with his wife and pups.. I’m lucky to have known him.

Bonnie,

My condolences to you and your family. While Elliott will be celebrated for his brilliance, humour, curiosity and zest for life, what I will remember is the powerful bond between the two of you, so rare and enduring.. Wrap those memories around you.

Dear Bonnie and family, I am so saddened to hear about Elliott. Although we usually met because of Patricia’s and your love of art, Elliott. was always so gently curious, and so willing to share his incredible knowledge and love of teaching. He has been such an important member of our academic community in Newfoundland, Canada, and around the world.
I hope that knowing the impact of his many scholarly contributions., his influence on thousands of students and that he will be remembered in so many hearts and minds brings some comfort to you and your family.
My deepest sympathy
Ian

I had the privilege of taking courses from Elliott Leyton at MUN. These were, by far, my favourite courses in my entire program. A brilliant mind who was willing to share his gift with his students in an engaging and thought provoking manner. He leaves a wonderful legacy. My condolences to all of his family.

Enjoyed a few dinner parties with Robin Stewart-Kotz and Elliot and Bonnie ❤️ Elliot was so funny and enjoyable as a dinner quest as we asked so many questions ❤️ Love to all the family and enjoy all the wonderful memories. RIP my friend

My condolences to Bonnie and the Leyton family. Dr. Leyton was an excellent prof and author- I really enjoyed his books. I also had the pleasure of sitting next to Dr. Leyton at a dinner party for a mutual friend’s birthday a few years back. He was so kind and engaging. I’m sorry to hear about his passing.

Bonnie and family.
My deepest sympaties .my thought are with you & prayers .Elliott will be in a special place i’m sure he was so sweet and a good man.May he rest in peace. Bonnie courage in youre lost. With love Rose.

Just found out about the passing of one of the greatest Newfoundland shooting friends that I had had the pleasure of knowing…He took me under his wing to guide me through the shooting world and always was there when I needed guidance…I will throughly miss his friendly manner, humor and endless stories like why you always should say thank you when offered a pair of priceless shotguns instead of saying no I can’t take them…
Bonnie, Marco, Jack and all of his extended family, our thoughts are with you.

Bonnie and family.
My deepest sympaties .my thought are with you & prayers .Elliott will be in a special place i’m sure he was so sweet and a good man.May he rest in peace. Bonnie courage in youre lost. With love Rose.

Bonnie and family please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Elliott..Please know that we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers..May he rest in peace. Francis & Elizabeth Keating..

Dear Bonnie and Family, my husband Len Baker and I wish to send our condolences on the passing of Elliot. We both were his Applied Anthropology students in the mid eighties at MUN. He was so talented and passionate about his field and so roguishly witty. Over those few years he was a large part of our growth and we remember him fondly.

We wish you all peace and the warmth of your lifetime memories. May he rest in peace.

In his book called “ Sole Survivor” he wrote “ I must also repay special debts to the several hundred thoughtful and warm-hearted members of my magical university class on aggression in the winter of 1988”. I was so very fortunate to be in that class. He was my absolute favourite professor. So brilliant and passionate. His passing is a huge loss. My sincere condolences to his family.

My deepest condolences your family. Most truly, Elliott was both funny and witty and a cherished friend to those who knew him.

I was a student of Dr. Leyton in the early 1990s. His courses inspired my love of Cultural Anthropology. I loved reading his works and the works he reccomended.

One thing I do remember is how he loved spending time with his grandson who was 5 at the time. He told several heartwarming stories of his times with him in a way that had a class of 400 20 somethings rivited. I think he liked those happy stories as a happy diversion from many of the darker things he taught and for which he was world renowned.

Thank you for making me a more critical thinker.

He will be missed

Dear Bonnie , Marco and Katie ,
May his memory be a blessing .
Tom Mills

My deepest sympathies. He certainly left an impression and will be remembered.

Bonnie, we extend our deepest condolences to you and your family on Elliot’s passing. Please know we are thinking of you at this sad time.
Barry & Glenda Wilkins

Bonnie and Family
Our deepest and sincere condolences to you and your family
The few times we chatted I gained a forever respect for his knowledge and wit.
May he Rest in Peace

Our family’s sincere condolences to Bonnie and family. Elliott was admired greatly by our Jonathan and he referred to him and his wise advice often. Perhaps they are having some great discussions and a chuckle or two somewhere out there. Sending love.

Bonnie and family, very sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing. Although we both worked at MUN at the same time we never met until our paths crossed one day at the Rod & Gun Club. There, we engaged in many witty conversations and mentoring sessions. He was a true gentleman and will be sorely missed.

Dear Bonnie and family,

Saddened today to hear of Elliot’s passing, one of our most cherished friends of 50 years. He’s left such a mark on the world and touched so many lives, always as a down-to-earth, generous man. We will miss him.

Bonnie and family…. I’m so sorry to hear of Elliot’s passing. My family and I join with many others who knew and respected him, and who send our sincere condolences to you all.

So sorry and sad to hear of Elliott’s passing.. He was my introduction to Anthropology in 1970 and what a meeting it was. He really opened a world to me and I still remember the details. Then, years later we are almost neighbours and had many a chat as he went for his daily walk. He was certainly “a force to be reckoned with”. Sincere condolences to you, Bonnie, and the rest of the family.
Cyril and Marion Hayden

My condolences on the passing of Dr. Leyton. He was one of my most inspiring professors at MUN.

My deepest sympathy to you all.

Bonnie and family,
I am so grateful for Elliott’s friendship. His kindness and mentoring helped me achieve many things later in life, and his wit and deep sense of humour was a treat. An extraordinary human being that I was proud to call a friend.
Peter

So sorry to hear this. I had great respect for Elliot. A warm soul, brilliant and so generous. Will miss him.
Sending hugs and love to Bonnie and family .

Dr. Leyton,
You were such an influential professor. Your blunt, direct, intellect made each and every conversation with you to be memorable. You inspired me to continue my higher education and complete a doctorate degree. You also illustrated the importance of real-life experience combined with academia. The world has lost a dynamic academic. I will never forget you!
Dr. Cindy Whitten, Ph.D.

We offer our sincere condolences to you, Bonnie and your children. Jerome Canning, Cathia Finkel and Reuben Canning Finkel.

Very sorry to learn of this brilliant man’s passing. Elliott Leyton was a fascinating person, as is his entire family. We were lucky enough to have Jack in our class growing up, and the Leyton home was a popular place for gazillions of us. My condolences to Bonnie, Jack and Marco and all of your family. Thank you, Elliott Leyton, for all of your work. Rest In Peace.

My dearest Bonnie .

I offer my deepest condolences and prayers for your loss of Elliott . The passion and devotion he demonstrated globally for his work, while legendary, paled in comparison to his passion and devotion to you. I cherish our time together and am so grateful for your generosity in sharing him with me . Our chats, visits, dinners and laughs shine brightly in my memory and I remain in awe of you Both.

I shall remember Elliott for the rest of my days, but I shall pay particular attention to these days of shiva.

All my love . Colleen

Sending love and condolences to Bonnie on the passing of Elliott. He was a brilliant lecturer and a kind and generous man. It’s a great loss to Newfoundland.

I am so sorry to hear of Elliott’s death. My deepest condolences Bonnie to you and all your family. The world has lost a unique, inspiring, and fascinating man.

On the passing of Elliott Layton- condolences 🙏 to the family. A clever man & distinguished Professor. Stay strong RIP .

I am saddened today to learn of the passing of Elliott Leyton, a fascinating individual whose own fascination with murder, serial killers and the like provided for a very interesting course taught by him at Memorial University, which I completed in my second year in 1986. I’ve never forgotten his written response on a paper I did on the intricacies of serial killer Ted Bundy: “thoughtful, scholarly and literate”. Thank you, Professor Leyton. I send my condolences to his wife and all his loved ones.

Sincere condolences to dear Bonnie and the family for the passing of Elliot. Elliot was an excellent friend, a great scholar and most of all a real gentleman. He will be missed and my his soul finds eternal peace.
Joe Banoub

Took his seminar at MUN. A fascinating and unforgettable man. Condolences to his family.

We are so sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing, our thoughts are with you.
Dennis Fitzgerald
Louise Sutton

My condolences to Bonnie and family. Spent some time with Elliott at the Rod and Gun Club and very much enjoyed our conversations, his enthusiasm and his mentorship. A true Gentleman and he will be missed.

We are so sorry for your loss you are all in our thoughts and prayers Lana little and family

I am sad to learn of Dr. Leyton’s passing, and I offer my condolences to his family and friends. He was one of a kind. I was a student in the mid-1990s in his war and aggression course that was so popular.. He was an awesome prof, and I enjoyed his sense of humour. He talked about his family during some chats outside of class, and it was obvious how important family was to him. Take good care.

So sorry to hear this sad news. Elliot has been such a huge part of many lives and will be sorely missed by us all. I first met Elliot through his vibrant wife, Bonnie, who was a working colleague in the art and craft scene since I arrived in Newfoundland 47 year’s ago. He touched so many people. Warm wishes to Bonnie and the family .

Professor Leyton was an incredible influence on me during my undergrad. He would always say that I was blind to my own potential and, though I was quiet and unsure, he always gave me a little push! I remember him loving a KitKat bar!! Definitely an Idol and Mentor of mine. To this day when I feel like I cannot accomplish, I think about what would Professor Leyton say!! One of the Best!!!!

One of the most outstanding learning experiences of my long and storied university career was in this great man’s classroom. Thank you for challenging us to be our very best. I am very grateful for the experience of being in his formative and inspirational classroom.

Rest in Peace…a great teacher. My condolences to the Leyton family.

Sending solace and sweet ease to Bonnie and family as Eliot goes on ahead. May you all be wrapped in good memories and the warm embrace of loved ones.

Just wanted to send my sincere condolences to Mr. Leyton’s family. He was a great scholar and lecturer. I remember being captivated by his classes. Take Care!

My condolences to Jack and his family.

So sorry to hear about the passing of Elliott. I had him as a professor and in later years became friends with him and Bonnie. Elliott was an amazing writer, academic and story teller, and a good listener.
Condolences to Bonnie and family.

He was such an exceptional man. I was a little girl when he lived in Lawn while researching for his amazing book, Dying Hard. Years later he was my professor at Memorial and once again amazed me with his kindness, intelligence and wonderful stories.

I am so saddened to learn of Dr. Leyton’s passing today.

I started as an undergrad student with him in the late 1990s and carried on as his Teaching Assistant for two years; he was always larger than life, with a wicked wit, and an innate curiosity about people that gave him such a charge! In spite of the “gruff” exterior I think he worked hard to maintain at times, he was generous with his time, he was kind, he was an encourager to anyone willing to put in the work.

As much as I knew of his passion for his scholarly work, though, there was nothing that he loved so deeply as ‘his Bonnie’ and his boys, who he spoke of so often. My deepest sympathies to his family as we remember and celebrate a most extraordinary life.

To the Leyton family. Professor Leyton was a gift to us all, and the community of Memorial University. Please accept my deepest condolences and prayers.

My deepest condolences to Elliott’s family. He will be missed by many students he touched over the years. Memorial University will have the flags displayed at half mast on the day of his memorial to honor his celebration of life. This will take place on Friday, February 18, 2022.. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Condolences to you Bonnie and your family. I had many interesting chats with Elliott. He was a fine man!
Bill

He was an amazing man, a fantastic professor and the absolutely the best story player. He had the ability to hold a class of 350 students on the edge of their seat. So sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

My condolences to Elliot’s family. He will be missed in this community.

BONNIE, IM SO SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT ELLOTT, S PASSING.. THINKING OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, WITH LOTS OF LOVE. JOCELYN CLARKE AND PETE LAWLOR

Just learned of Elliotts passing .Our hearts go out to Bonnie and family . Our deepest condolences . We loved Elliott and enjoyed his company at all the shooting tournament across the country and the get togethers afterwards. He will be greatly missed . May we all meet again . God bless.

So sorry to learn of Elliott’s passing. From target shooting buddy to academic mentor he was a great friend and influence. Visiting Elliott and Bonnie has been a highlight of my visits back to Newfoundland over the past 35 years. He will be missed and never forgotten.
Bonnie, Marco, Jack and all of his extended family, my thoughts are with you.

My deep condolences to Bonnie and the kids.. As secretary in the department I (and other staff members) enjoyed Elliot’s wit every Wednesday for many years!

Bonnie and family,
We are sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing.
We have so many fond memories of good times spent together.
We will always remember his kindness and wonderful sense of humour.
He was a good friend.
Our sincere condolences,
Jill and Chuck

My deepest condolences to your family. Dr. Leyton was my professor at MUN in the nineties and encouraged and inspired me to pursue an advanced degree in anthropology. In part, he is one of the reasons I will be completing my PhD in Cultural Anthropology at MUN at the end of this year.. His loss will be felt by many.

I’m sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing. He was one of a kind. I enjoyed our conversations on the range or over lunch. He had a great sense of humor and I will miss him greatly. My condolences to his family and my thoughts and prayers go out to them at this great loss.
Ken Hensley
Orlando Florida

If you were lucky enough to have taken one of Professor Leyton’s classes at MUN would certainly remember him as one of the most fascinating, intelligent, well spoken, witty, sarcastic lecturers out there. I think the man had his own “cult” following on campus because his classes were always in high demand. He will be fondly remembered by so many. Condolences to his family & friends.

Elliott was a great trapshooting coach and mentor to many of us. We’ve been missing Elliott at the rod and gun club in recent years but am happy to have shared a lot of great momeries and laughs. Condolences to Bonnie and the rest of the Leyton family.

To the Leyton family. I met Elliot through trap shooting throughout the province. Wonderful gentlemen. Great sense of humor and always encourage others. My deepest condolences. William (Bill) Snow, Deer Lake

I’m extremely shocked and deeply saddened by the horrible news of my dear Friend, Elliott Leyton. We first “met” in the very end of the 1990s, when Elliott’s insight and advice allowed me and my colleague to prepare the first MA thesis on serial homicide in the post-communist Poland. I then traveled three times to Newfoundland to work with Elliot: in 2001, 2002 and 2004, spending almost a year with Elliott and sharing his office at MUN. We developed a lasting friendship. Elliott and Bonnie visited me and my family in Warsaw, we kept in touch on email for many years. I consider Elliott to be my number one source of inspiration. I wouldn’t be where I am professionally and mentally if our paths have not crossed. Elliott is a friend whom I will always remember as funny, witty, always halpful and a joy to be around. I’m devastated and so sorry for Bonnie. I will forever feel remorse for not coming back to Newfoundland and for not finding a time to be around Elliott when there was still a chance to do so. I love you, Elliott and I will always remember you. Kacper Gradon with Joanna and John (and with Michael, whom you never met).

We are so sorry to hear of your passing!
You will be remembered by all as a witty storyteller, funny sense of humour and your love for Bonnie!

Brian &Roxann Sullivan
Jack Bishop

I only had the privilege of meeting him once. He spoke to one of my grad school classes at MUN. I hung on his every word. I was completely captivated. So brilliant and hilariously sharp. I have been fascinated by true crime ever since then. Such a great loss of such an extraordinary individual. My condolences to the family.

Very sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing. My sincere condolences to the the entire Leyton family.

Old friend I’m sorry to hear you are gone, I wish we had kept in touch, I always miss your positivity, excellent taste in cheese and your sarcastic “Well why don’t you just pull out your pocket lathe and whip one of those up!” . Hearing how happy you were to have visits with your grandson and how proud you were of your boys. My deepest condolences to those who will miss you as I’m sure you will be greatly missed.

Great Prof. Wicked sense of humor in class! Brought sarcasm to an art level. Still remember some of his quips some 30 years later. Condolences to his family.

Had a lot of profs at MUN but Elliott was the best I have ever had. Remember him and his courses fondly.
Truly a great prof and individual. Condolences to the Leyton family

Sorry to hear the news. I found his courses to be extremely interesting and took all of his seminar courses during my undergrad. It was sparked my interest to complete my Criminology Certificate .

So very sorry to hear of Elliott’s passing. My deepest condolences to Bonnie and family.

Bonnie and family, Ken and I send our condolences for your loss. He will be remembered fondly by so many who knew him as friend, author and scholar. I hope that your memories of him will help ease your pain at this sad time.

To the Leyton Family,

Sorry to read about the passing of Dr. Leyton. Far by one of the best profs I ever had and loved his Sociology course.

I was so enthralled for his passion for teaching and how he was so inspiring and engaged with his students.

Rest easy!! You did brilliant work.

Our sincerest condolences. Elliott was a brilliant beautiful soul. ❤️ Sending lots of love

So very sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Leyton. I have not met the man but have read his book about the miners of St. Lawrence, my hometown. He has done a great service to the town by creating this book. We send condolences to the family on this tremendous loss. RIP Mr. Leyton. Your work lives on.