“Service Above Self” wasn’t just a Rotary motto to Scott — it was how he lived every day. 

For more than 37 years as a Rotarian, Scott gave his time, energy, creativity, and heart to causes that mattered deeply to him. He believed communities become stronger when people step forward to help one another, and throughout his life, he did exactly that.

One of Scott’s most significant contributions was helping create Redwood Shelter for women and children fleeing abuse and violence. Through a Rotary Blue Jays fundraiser, he helped raise the seed money needed to launch the project. In the 1990s, Scott came up with the idea for the giant foam “J” sold at Blue Jays games. More than 150,000 were sold, with proceeds supporting the shelter. What began as a simple fundraising idea became an enduring symbol of his creativity and determination.

Scott worked closely with the construction team, rallied community support, and continued assisting shelter staff after Redwood opened, helping women and children relocate to safety and begin rebuilding their lives.

Committed to building safer and more connected communities, Scott attended the Rotary International Urban Peace Program in Toronto and became a member of the first Urban Peace Rotary Group. Working with Rotarians across the Greater Toronto Area, he supported initiatives focused on community engagement, violence prevention, and urban peace.

Scott devoted countless hours to Rotary TV Auctions, organized international student exchanges, supported families transitioning out of shelters with furniture and Christmas hampers, and helped lead District 7070’s conference just months after 9/11. He also championed local community initiatives, from supporting the Pia Bouman School’s annual Nutcracker performances to helping youth hockey and baseball teams thrive.

Scott was equally passionate about helping vulnerable youth. After learning the story of a young woman who had experienced homelessness as a teenager, he helped promote the documentary Letters to a Street Child, arranging Rotary speaking engagements and screenings that raised awareness and funds for programs supporting young people on their path to recovery.

If something needed to be done, Scott was already there — sleeves rolled up, ready to help.

But what people will remember most wasn’t just what Scott accomplished. It was how he made them feel.

He had a gift for making people instantly comfortable. He preferred phone calls over emails because connection mattered to him. He remembered names, stories, children, jobs, and dreams — the details that made people feel seen and valued. When Scott walked into a room, it became warmer, louder, and somehow more alive.

Scott lived fully and generously. He celebrated others’ successes, noticed the little moments, and gave his full attention to whoever was in front of him. Whether you knew him for decades or only briefly, you left feeling better for having spent time with him.

Many people hope to make a difference in the world. Scott truly did — one conversation, one laugh, one project, and one act of kindness at a time.