Uncrowned Community Builders

John Phillip Elias was born in Jamestown, New York on January 31, 1924. He was the son of John Q. Elias and Louise M. Mitchell Elias. He attended the Love school and Jamestown High School. He was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943. He became a Tuskegee airman and served in Italy and the Pacific Theatre during World War II as a mechanic and flyer for the P-51 Mustang fighter. He earned numerous awards and medals and was honorably discharged. After the war Mr. Elias worked for Marlin Rockwell in Jamestown. During this time his daughter, Sally L. was born.
In 1955, Mr. Elias met and married Frances Marie Bliss. Three children, Mark D., Michelle E. and Suzanne T. were born to this union. The family subsequently moved to Buffalo from Jamestown. Following the move, Mr. Elias worked as a carpenter for the Niagara Power Project for a period of time. He next worked at Bethlehem Steel, starting as a crane operator, moving to the employment department, to becoming a Safety Department Supervisor before retiring in 1982.
Mr. Elias was a dedicated husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. In addition to his children, he had eleven grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren. He was a loyal Bills fan and avid historian. He loved to share his stories and history with neighbors, museums, family and friends. He actively served in Boy Scouting as District Commissioner. He was an avid hunter and fisherman as well.