John Michael Scott

June 13, 1946 - February 20, 2023

Funeral Details: Tuesday June 13, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. A Celebration of life will be held at Carrying Place Golf & Country Club (16750 Weston Road, Township of King, Ontario L7B 0C7)

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

CONDOLENCES

6 Condolences
  • Francine Villeneuve
    Posted on: Thursday, March 16, 2023 Reply

    John’s enthusiasm and generosity will be missed so much at my barn. All of the staff truly loved his visits to see the horses.Discussing how the horses were training and planning the season was so uplifting because of his sheer enjoyment of the sport. I, personally, will miss our meetings, when he always made me laugh, even after a hard day at work.Ever hopeful for a “big horse”we will continue to do so with him in mind always.He will be sorrowfully missed, but his presence will be felt in all future wins.Rest in peace to a dear friend, who I wish I would have known much longer.

  • Cressman
    Posted on: Saturday, March 18, 2023 Reply

    What a beautiful soul! He made us laugh, he now makes us cry! It was such a pleasure travelling with dear John and his beloved wife Helen. May you rest in peace John knowing how much you were loved by your family and friends. Enza and Paul 🙏🙏

  • Don Barr
    Posted on: Saturday, March 18, 2023 Reply

    So sorry to read of John’s passing. We worked together managing construction for John Wheelwright Ltd. This is where John got his start in the steel business. We had a lot of good times and laughs together.
    Sincerely
    Don Barr

  • Peter and Barbara Leon
    Posted on: Wednesday, March 22, 2023 Reply

    Helen we were so saddened to hear of your loss. I was so happy to be reunited with John on our Italian Sojourn.
    I knew John in our earlier years as a customer at John Wheelwright Contracting.

    We had such fun on our trip re-living old memories and were so happy our paths crossed again.

    Our thoughts are with you Helen and your family and we hope to keep in touch.

    Sincerely and with fond memories,

    Peter and Barbara leon

  • Robert Newton
    Posted on: Monday, June 12, 2023 Reply

    I will miss John dearly. We had so much fun together usually around hockey. I will never forget the laughs we had on trips to Las Vegas; Finland; Sweden; Austria; Germany and Hungary. He was a great friend and he loved to play with and against Adam and Scott on the ice. A true gentleman, kind and generous, a great team mate and leader. I am looking forward to celebrating his life, a life never to be forgotten by me.

  • Patrick Ladisa
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Reply

    Dear Scotts – I was so deeply saddened to learn this news. I remember Mr. S well – the man had charisma enough to lift a whole city off the ground and carry it across the world. His stories carried me for years. Where are the men who can replace these giants? Rest is peace John. You loved well and were well loved. My love to Helen and family.

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