11/25/12 - NNHS Newsletter

Sad to hear the news. I always thought I would see you in the hallways, one more time.

~ Rhonda, Virginia

Elliott always had the ability to make me - and hundreds of others - smile, and not just for his camera. Will miss you Elliott, but will never forget the pleasure of having you around Riverside. RIP.

~ Kathy Menefee, Gloucester, Virginia

I remember many good times listening to Elliot play. He will be missed...RIP ET <3 Michelle P.

I had the pleasure of knowing Elliott and performing with him in numerous bands of the 60s. He has left us far too soon.
When you travel around in bands you're going to have many memories. I remember some teenagers destroying his sax case while we were playing in NC. He then proudly displayed the sax by letting it ride shotgun in his Valiant convertible. The time he slipped on stage and put his foot through a speaker cabinet !!
These are great memories I have of Elliott, but most of all I can see and hear him blowing that horn. Rest in Peace, my man.

~ Bill Gardner, Martinsville, Virginia

Miss you, my friend.

~ Donna Kohl, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

It was always a pleasure to jam with you, brother. Rest in peace.

~ Vaughn, Hampton, Virginia

Elliot, my dear friend, I was excited that you were going to sit in with the band in the near future -- we will miss your beautiful, soulful, nuanced and raw sax solos, and your wonderful sense of humor. Move over, Gabriel, Elliot will be blowing his sax now!

Doc Robin

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November 25, 2012

First of all, what a nice guy. Second, not just a good player but a brilliant musician. Elliott would and could really take you somewhere with that horn . We were so lucky to have him share his light with us. Mark Hopkins

~ Mark Hopkins

November 25, 2012

How do you say good-bye to someone who has been a close friend and part of your life for over 25 years? You will be missed.

~ Dennis Livreri, Portsmouth, Virginia

November 25, 2012

I have only said maybe 50 words to him. I did not know him very well. But he did play his sax for "Iron Horse" at our gig. And I played beside him at Pappa's Pub on Thursday night quite a few times. He surely impressed me with his talent, and quiet attitude... RIP, Friend

~ Unsigned
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November 25, 2012

What a loss for the peninsula! We've known Elliott since the early 80's. We were honored to have him take our wedding pictures in 1982. As always, he was cheerful, witty and had the entire wedding party giving their best smiles. Sam, losing parents has to be one of the toughest things we have to go through in this life. We remember how proud he was when you came into his life. Cherish your happy memories of the time you spent with your dad. You will remain in our thoughts and prayers during this time. God Bless. With deepest sympathy,

~ Kitty and Terry Heffington, Newport News, Virginia

November 25, 2012

I've known Elliott since the late 60's when he did band photos for Wilson Harrell and Check Productions. We connected up more recently and he showed up almost every Thursday at Pappa's Pub where I was in the hosting band. He was a great sax player and it was nice to have a friend that went back for so many years. RIP, Elliott

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November 25, 2012

So very sad to lose you but you have touched so many hearts - you will be sorely missed...

~ Melanie

November 25, 2012

Elliott was the section leader when I moved up to Senior Band at NNHS in 1964. He became a good friend and was responsible for many good things in my life. He told me the best place to buy my Selmer tenor sax, which I still play today, and gave me the nickname Sammy Selmer, which I used in all my music-related activities in college (and currently on Facebook). Elliott played at the Peppermint Lounge in Virginia Beach with Buddy and the Pop Tops, and through my association with him I was asked to join The Fugitives, and later The Sheepherders, the latter based entirely on his recommendation. Elliott and I attended a James Brown concert in Norfolk; at the end of the first set James took off his cufflinks and tossed them into the audience, and Elliott caught one!
Elliott was a great sax player, a major influence in my life and avocation, and a great friend. I'm so very glad I re-connected with him last year and we were able to update each other on the previous 45 years.
I think John Belushi said it best in The Blues Brothers: "The band, man; the BAND!"

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November 25, 2012

Sam. So sorry to hear of your father's passing. I knew him well thru your mom, Dreama. I was a nurse at Riverside. My prayers are with all of you.

~ Rosie Walker, Hayes, Virginia

November 26, 2012

Elliott and I were Typhoon band members at NNHS. The last time I saw him was when he was taking pictures at a wedding of a friend many years ago. Very talented and nice fellow. My sympathies to the family.
Sherry Hensel Huycke NNHS 1969

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November 26, 2012

Hi Carol, Here are some more recent photos of Elliott, along with an obit (don't know if this will be the one that will be in the DP Sunday, but it certainly looks like one):
				Elliott Lee Torn Newport News (Obituary by Bud Ramey) Elliott Torn, 64, noted local photographer and musician, departed this life on November 13, 2012 in his home. His death from heart attack was unexpected. Elliott was born, raised, educated and spent his entire life in Newport News, a city he loved. This gifted man embodied the word creativity. Thousands of us had the privilege of having Elliott take our photograph. We saw the cheerful man with the camera but did not see the hours spent editing to make the picture perfect, removing flaws, making us all look better than life.


Thousands more marveled at his saxophone solos. He was often joining in dozens of local bands throughout Tidewater, bringing impressive solos to these groups on hundreds of nights. For those of us who extended the hand of friendship to this man, we have been rewarded with his unconditional and steadfast loyalty and his special brand of humor. Elliott is survived by his son, Sam Torn; his best friends, Mojo and PNut; and other relatives. Join us for a celebration of his creative life on Tuesday, November 27th at 7:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the Riverside Foundation Make a Difference Fund honoring the caregivers at Riverside at www.riversideonline.com/Foundation. Peyton
WOW. Thank you so much, Peyton! This is just so sad. What a great guy Elliott was!