National Capital Chapter 70 - Ottawa, Canada
VE3PI Biography 
Elias (Eli) Desson - SK - QCWA# 28663 (Silent Key)
Background
Eli was born in Scotland but grew up in Toronto. As a youth he had an interest in both art and building radios.
Education / Employment History
- 1942-1945 - Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. Eli was posted to England, France, Belgium and Holland during WW II. His name appears on the Toronto Wall of Honour as "Mentioned in Dispatches".
- 1946 - Ontario Hydro. Eli was with Ontario Hydro only a short time before being accepted by Bell Telephone Company.
- 1947-1985 Bell Telephone Company - He worked for Bell in Toronto, Peterborough, Montreal, Ottawa, back to Montreal and then back to Ottawa, finally as an Engineering Associate. Eli retired in 1985.
Amateur Radio History
- He was first licensed in 1938 as VE3AYA in Toronto.
Additional Information
During his time with Bell Telephone (1947-1985) he lived in various Ontario locations and was on the air from each. He had the call sign VE2YA in Montreal. Back in Ottawa, Eli received the call sign VE3BIK. He later applied for and was assigned his final call sign VE3PI.
Eli was a member of Telephone Pioneers Amateur Radio Club and active in the operation and maintenance of the club repeater VE3TEL.
Eli passed away May 12, 2009 in his 89th year.