Obituary of Gerald Douglas SCOTT

Maude Annabelle Knott born in Prince Albert Saskatchewan Nov 1889, Lewis Shadrick Scott born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa Oct 1871. She 25, he 43, when they married September 30, 1914, In the parish of St. Paul, Regina Saskatchewan. What were they thinking life would bring When they fell in love, But 9 little babies they were thankful for Blessings from above. Gerald Raymond Douglas Scott. Born March 4 ‘36 – Nelson BC. Though last, not least, the youngest of 9 Looked up to them all, eager to please. Steve the Lawyer, Esley as Donks, The first of the big burly brothers. Fred as Russian, Walter as Dooley, His most fabled & favorite “tough mothers”. Patrick (Robert and other aliases), Nicknamed Bible Puncher or Mac. Joined the Dutch Merchant Marine on the East Coast Crossed the seas and never came back. Edward as Scottie or Chung Lo, Another handsome brute to know. Ida the lady, Gladys as Oliver and Spider, Dear loving sisters to “Goop” the fighter. Nelly Irene passed away May 31 ’18, A sister in spirit, part of the clan. Maude and Lewis two very brave souls, Loved them all unconditionally to the moon and back. The Scott boys were a force, a rambunctious bunch, Not ones to ever back down. No wonder the smallest child and boy, Would follow them all over town. Living in the shadows of his flamboyant bros, So many years between them all, Either you were loud, rough, or rowdy, One of them, or you didn’t fit in at all. Not always easy to find a friend Who understood what he was going through; Gerald head down, nose to the grindstone, Did the best with what he knew. The Scotts moved to New West And were put to the test, Life’s ups and downs, a merry-go-round 12 year old Gerry was adventure bound. When 16 or so, he did a sweet thing, Bought cousins Doris and Jean Opal birthstone rings. That spark of magic lived in his DNA; If he found joy, he’d happily give it away. Foolishness of a misspent youth, Gerald faltered at the fork in the road, Choosing the path of least resistance, Hoping it’d lighten his load. You live and learn, that’s what he did, Through his teens, he was a street-wise kid. Dashing, and daring, on the run, Always young at heart, and full of fun. Honorably discharged in ‘56 as a gunner in the CAF He’d live a full and colorful life Always on the edge. But the kids grew up, some settled down, Gerald made way to a Kootenay town. Learning the last word in lonesome is me, He soon found love in a girl of twenty. He loved to dance, especially jive, Hanging out with the Navy in a sailor suit. He looked very cool, a pretty tough dude; Proud, and fearless with attitude. With his bad boy charm, good looks and swagger, He danced Frankie right off of her feet. Frank, Shaderick, Tammy, Cindy, Marina Made their family of 7 complete. And Bonnie Colleen was taken away as a newborn in early ‘68. She lies over the ocean in our mind’s eye, A baby with wings in heavenly skies. Times were tough, many on welfare, Kids eating bread & butter with sweet tea; Chinese food on special occasions A favorite when they had means. He loved to fish and tack, And go on turkey shoots For Thanksgiving dinner; The outdoors were a hoot. Such a kidder, so funny, so witty and wise, He always had that element of surprise. He’d tease you, to please you, and make you grin, Time after time, and over again. Living on love for the time being, Sometimes love is not enough. Frankie drove west with 4 of the kids Doing what she must. It’s sad and true, good people do wrong, On and on it goes, the same old song. They lived and learned so very much, And Gerald did what he could to keep in touch. Some prayers go unanswered, are blessings in disguise, Sometimes God sees better than do our eyes. Gerald and Frankie would find themselves Moving on with blind faith that all would be well. Gerald and Gail would soon make a home With Terry, Tammy, and newly born Dawn. Many highs, some lows with quiet thoughts Of what happened to his other l’il Scotts. He loved to play board games, cards and darts Long walks, and socializing, going to parks. Metal detecting and camping were fun Knew all about sports and which teams had won. A master of trivia on Jeopardy The mind of a genius we’re told, His love of Matlock, Pink Panther, and Hitchcock Never ever got old. He LOVED Louis L’amour books, Belafonte Ronnie Milsap, Nelson, and Cash, Clint Eastwood, and posing with Jackie Chan In a Shanghai Noon autograph. Up bright and early, singing in a low baritone voice The song of his choice! He love to shoot pool with his special 3 piece cue, As usual not much he couldn’t do; He’d play like a pro, a real pool shark, and bowled with his chums well into dark. Music from the 50s and 60s In the prime of his life, He always smelled good Wearing Old Spice. He could live on popcorn, a favorite food, Ate chocolate and sweet stuff no matter his mood. If he had lows…he never showed it He glowed with happy-go-lucky starshine wit. Known for a curious mind And a wanderer at heart, Gerald was a master of all trades Brilliantly playing his part. He found sobriety, and went back to school, The nurse became a certified level 3 chef. He took up acting for pleasure and fun, While embracing his First Nations heritage. He knew no bounds later in life, Beating down the demons that long caused him strife. Imagine what he might have achieved If in himself, he’d always believed. We all got those phone calls, Random, funny, and sweet… A short touching reminder Of his love so deep. A Diamond in the Rough, One of a kind! He taught us how to love, Not with eyes, but the mind. To love unconditionally, Like his love for his Mom, Whoever you are, Wherever you’re from. He kept on trying to make a breakthrough While saying, “I’m dying”, he’d say, “I love you”. God love his relentlessness, he had love to spare, He fought to the end and laid his heart bare. He loved to help people, the lost and the found, He gave what he could and would spread it around. He was big of heart and small of need The Bannock King never lacked mouths to feed. He supported the Royal Canadian Legions, And was proud of this fact, One of the first native veterans The Nelson branch would accept. He loved Indian Lore, learning more and more About praying, rituals, medicine and dreams, In hopes of sharing native traditions With all of us it seems. He lost his native rights as a young man, But was determined to get it again; Learned about the Scotts and Knotts, Our Metis heritage and kin. A fixture at the Calgary Stampede, He’d march and dance in the parade. The sailor come Metis, still proud and tall, His true colors on full display. Losing his youth as a kid, He found it as a man, A child once more, in life’s candy store, He got the upper hand. His transparent heart, and unminced words Could evoke a sense of love or dismay. But you always knew where you stood with him, If you were hundreds of miles away. No matter the hard knocks of life, It’s not a game of win or lose, He never gave up; he let go and let Spirit Point to whatever he should choose. He taught us you don’t have to be Everybody’s cup of tea… Just be you, through and through And to others you’ll be true. His health would wane many times, In and out of the hospital he’d say, “If anything should ever happen to me, Make Nelson the place of my final stay.” No more could be said of his love for a place, Sweet joy of memories written all over his face. He once ran for Mayor of The Queen City, He shared great ideas, that he lost was a pity. His impish smile and the glint in his eyes, Belied the life of this storybook man, Whose eccentric and free-spirited ways Tempted fate time and time again. No excuses, the past is in the past, One marvels how such a man’s broken heart could last. The tales of lives, loved and lost were a lot to bear For a Metis man, once lost now found, who’d been dealt his share. He tried reaching out over the years, But sometimes couldn’t break through the pain and tears. He wished there was more he could have done, And God knows his heart, so what’s done is done. He may not have expressed it well, Or said much at all, But we’ll thank God for Gerald RD Scott Each and every Fall. You can’t undo the past they say, But that’s is where they’re wrong, Because love can change all manner of things, And free our hearts in song. So a love song our hearts will sing, For the man we sometimes barely knew, But whose love for us will never end, Cause his heart was always true. “Good morning starshine The earth says hello You twinkle above us We twinkle below” We love him unconditionally, And he did the same for us; None of us perfect in this broken world We were blessed to have as much. We’ve lost our Dad and gained each other, A lot to be grateful for; Though it wasn’t said often, we love you Dad And pray you’re on God’s shore. IN LOVING MEMORY of GERALD RAYMOND DOUGLAS SCOTT – passed away in Calgary AB October 12, 2013 – Gerald is survived by his children (oldest to youngest); Frank Piquard of Kelowna BC, Tom Hewitt of Calgary AB, Tammy Hewitt of Calgary, Cindy Hewitt (Gallacher) of Kelowna, Marina Peckinpaugh of Delta BC, Dawn Bird of Regina SK, many lovely grand-children, extended family, and friends. In living memory of Gerald Scott, a tree was planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200…and his life celebrated by family on September 20, 2014, in Calgary. “Tis not that Dying hurts us so — ‘Tis Living — hurts us more — “ Emily Dickinson Good Morning Starshine –Oliver Written by Cindy Anne Scott Hewitt – October 11, 2014 Peace Dad – we love you – Forever