Patrick Scott, the man who lived life on his own terms, left us far too soon.
He was born in February, 1945 in Wawa - a place where the wilderness meets the wild ones and where the people are as tough as the landscape, and the humour's as dry as the wintery snow. Pat's dad, a geologist for Algoma Steel, and his mom, a math teacher at Michipicoten High, instilled in him a love for adventure in nature and despite every attempt, a healthy disregard for authority. As a boy he'd play hockey on the frozen waters of Lake Superior, fish with his dad on the Michipicoten River, and serve as an altar boy at St. Monica's Catholic Church- ironic, given his later reputation. Always a hard worker, Pat delivered the Sault Star to the residents of the Parkhill neighborhood and later as a Boy Friday at White's Butcher Shop on Main Street.
In the late 60's Pat was deciding on a life in Australia or applying for a job at INCO in Sudbury. As he told it, he walked into the INCO Employment Office on Fir Lane and it was there he met a pretty redhead name Isabel. It was his greatest story. They married on D-Day 1970 which become a joke later on and they moved into a small company house in Coniston where they were quickly adopted by the Barbes and Renault families and gained a surrogate daughter in a certain kim "kimmy-cat" Hebert.
It was in Coniston as a young Industrial Relations rep, he met his best friend Terry Lineker. As Terry tells it, Pat was both terrible and brilliant at the job. Not suited to suits and ties or any strict adherence to company policy. He preferred common sense approaches to grievances and could often resolve a problem quickly, earning the respect of workers. Pat, Terry and fellow cohort Don McCroome had many adventures on snowmobiles, boats, planes, hunting and fishing trips, chasing moose, bears and defying death more than a few times.
Important to this story is Pat & Isabel eventually moved to Naughton where he helped design and build two homes for his family and its where he co-hosted many late night parties with friends, family and neighbours including the Leblanc's, Kari's and Koops
Pat's family was his greatest adventure. He taught his boys Glenn, Tim and Tom to cut wood, fix engines, shoot straight, catch fish in every season, fix anything with black electrical tape and use swear words as nouns, verbs & adjectives. He showed them the beauty of nature and although never conventional in terms of parenting style, he ensured they became gentlemen & good hard working men.
Pat worked underground at INCO for 30 years, earning a reputation as a fair boss, a true leader, and a man who'd stop at nothing to protect his crew.
In retirement, he found joy with Isabel (Sweet Pea) both at home and on the water in their boat The Odyssey along with their pals the Willocks. He loved to tinker at the woodworking and lapidary gem & mineral shops and treasure hunt with his metal detector.
He also became 'Gramps' to Meadow, Brooke, and Brandon just like his dad did to his boys.
Pat Scott may be gone, but his stories, his whistle and practical jokes will live on. So here's to Pat - may his Aujourd'hui wine always flow freely, and his memory never fade.
Among those raising a glass include everyone in this story along with Marcella, Jess, Dot, Brian, Kevin & Jonelle, John & Alison, Jody & Rick, Leif & Johanna, Nick, Marissa Aleisha, Trevor, Tiffany, Makar, Alex, Chris, Timmy, Sam, Liv, Abby & Liam. Oh and his golden retriever Willow too. Meeting him at the pearly gates will be Rita, Johnny, Edward and many of his buddies.
Donations to Pet Save in Pat's memory would be just tickety-boo.
Pat's family would like to extend their most heartfelt thanks to the staff at Extendicare York whose good work will never be forgotten.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Scott residence on Simon Lake.