John Michael Scott

John Michael Scott

The world just became a little less bright.  Sadly, our father John Michael Scott passed away peacefully at home Feb.20, 2023, surrounded by family after a shockingly short battle with pancreatic cancer.  John is predeceased by his parents, James Donald and Eleanor Jean Scott and sister Donna Eleanor Hunt.  Much loved brother of Jamesie (Mary Lou, Tyler, Darren, Amy) and brother-in-law Fred Hunt (Jennifer, Chris, Richard and JD) and Gloria Sweeney (Tom, Stevie and Simon) whom he first met in Grade 10 French class.  Special “Uncle John” to many nieces and nephews.  Beloved grandfather to Riley, Quinn, Grace and Harry, and “bonus Grandpa” to Jordy, Thomas, Aden, Fuad, and Alaina.  Father to Jane and Adam, father-in-law to Scott and Jenny, and recently marking 53 years of marriage with the love of his life, Helen.

It is comforting to hear from so many people who let us know what a positive impact he made on their lives.  But, to say we are heartbroken is an understatement.  John had many passions in addition to his family and career which created a large, extended family of friends and colleagues: hockey coach and teammate, mentor, show businessman extraordinaire, fishing partner, travel companion, self described “matriarch” of the family, dedicated Leaf fan, and avid horseman.  Generous to a fault, John was the centre of our universe.  He loved to hold court over long dinners with family and friends with his stories and killer sense of humour, marked by his huge laugh and the most beautiful smile.  Dad loved to celebrate our victories as well as his own, often over, and over and over again.  He developed a special bond with each of his grandchildren and was dedicated to watching them participate in all of their various athletic endeavors, marveled at their abilities, but mostly he enjoyed spending time with them at our annual summer vacation at Nekabong Hunting and Fishing camp - which he joined for the sole intent of having family time.  This was the successor to our childhood cottage at Aylen Lake.  He instilled in all of us a love for family, adventure and travel, competitiveness, hard work, compassion, and fun.  He packed a lot into his shortened life and was able to seamlessly blend work friends, travel friends, horse friends, hockey friends and family.  An epic family trip in the early 80’s when Dad worked on a hangar in Sri Lanka gave us the travel bug.  We went to Singapore, London, Germany, Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Scotland, France, all over the US including a monumental trip to Hawaii to name a few.  We were fortunate to do two trips to Mexico for Christmas with our extended Sharman/Scott/Halcrow families.  He loved those trips. His legacy of construction projects included China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, the Bahamas, the arctic and Iceland, along with many in Canada and the US.  His zest for life and adventure were enabled by an endless energy, always the first up and last to bed, some of his memorable sayings: “you can’t go to the fountain of life with a shot glass, bring a bucket” and answering the phone with “John Scott’s the name, steel is the game”. Dad would discover cruises with Migrations Travel where he made many fast friends.  He was well known for travelling around the world and passing on excursions, instead, cozying up with a book or two on his balcony and watching the world go by.  We will carry on his legacy and lessons.  Please think of Dad whenever you hear a Gordon Lightfoot song, pass a KFC, or hear a loon’s call. Our sincerest thanks to Sunnybrook Hospital, particularly Dr. Sharon Domb and the York Region Palliative team’s Dr. Brian Birger for their kind and gentle care of us all.  Celebration of life for a life so well lived will be at Carrying Place Golf and Country Club (16750 Weston Road, King, Ontario L7B 0C7) on Tuesday June 13, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Arrangements entrusted to Peaceful Transition York (2-15236 Yonge St., Aurora) and condolences, photos and memories may be shared through www.peacefultransition.ca