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Not over the hill, yet
Four generations hit the slopes, including 87- and 91-year-olds
 | | Four generations of the Elliott family hit the Colorado ski slopes. Back row, from left: Ken Elliott, Bill Purcell, Harrison Deakin, Harry Purcell. Front row, from left: Chip Purcell, Bea Elliott, and Fox Purcell. |
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Four generations of one family just returned from a week of skiing in the Colorado mountains. This is the 3rd year in a row for the group to get together, each time at a different resort.
Ken and Bea Elliott of Dearborn, Michigan are the senior skiers. They gave each other skis as Christmas presents on their first Christmas as a married couple in 1940 and have been skiing every since. Ken will be 91 this week and Bea is 87.
 | | At their advanced age, Ken and Bea Elliott often get to ski for free. |
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When Ken retired from Ford Motor Company in 1972, they moved North, unlike most retirees who choose to move South. They moved from Dearborn to Good Hart to be near Michigan’s ski resorts, where they have held season passes ever since then. Only recently have they moved back to Dearborn for part of the year to be near family.
Ken and Bea have many NASTAR medals that they have earned through the years in different age groups. In addition, Ken also holds several Senior Olympic world and US records in track and field events. Bea says, “The best thing about skiing at this age is that you get to ski free at many places!”
Harry Purcell of Pensacola Beach started skiing in college and has skied whenever he gets the chance since then. He is 62 years old and married to Ken and Bea’s daughter, Judi.
“Skiing with this active family has been a joy — and a challenge. I hope I can still be skiing at 90!”
He lost all of his ski clothing and equipment in Hurricane Ivan, but this trip gave him a chance to get the latest new boots and skis.
Bill Purcell of New Bern, NC is the next generation down. He is Harry and Judi’s son and is a McDonald’s franchise owner in eastern North Carolina. He began skiing when he was a youngster when the Purcell’s lived in Connecticut. Bill is 35 years old and prefers a snowboard for traveling down the slopes.
The youngest generation came from two locations. All 3 are great-grandchildren of Ken and Bea and grandchildren of Harry and Judi. Harrison Deakin of Gulf Breeze is 14 years old. This was his first year to join the group and his first trip to the Rocky Mountains. He, like his younger cousins, is a snowboarder. The youngest two are Chip and Fox Purcell of New Bern, NC. They are 8 year old twins. This is the 3rd season for the twins.
“They talk of nothing else from Christmas until they can get on the slopes,” says their father, Bill Purcell.
In March Ken will ski with another grandson and great-grandson at a resort in California. He has passed down his love of skiing to many through the years.
“Whether you are on skis or a snowboard, just being outdoors in the clear mountain air keeps you young,” says Ken.
Ken wears his 90+ ski patch with pride.
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