Coatbridge, Scotland – Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Beloved husband of Ann, wonderful father of Karen (Pedro) Garzon and Susan (Erik Rollings) Birnie, and adored grandfather of Manolo and Amalia Garzon and Spencer Rollings. Scott loved his family dearly and enjoyed living in Oakville for 41 years.
Scott is survived by his brother Ian (June) Birnie of Waterford, Ontario and his cousins, Donald Cameron of Scotland and Alex Rather of England and their families. He will be sorely missed by Ann's family – brother Bob (Mimi) and Tom (Bonnie) Chamberlin and her sister Jean (Bill) Bennett and their families, all of the US. He was predeceased by his parents John Archibald and Agnes Scott Birnie and his infant son, Andrew.
Scott grew up in Coatbridge, Scotland and received his BA and MA degrees in Modern History from the University of Glasgow. He received his diploma in education from Cambridge University and completed the Advanced Business Management Course at Harvard University.
Scott's first career was with Unilever, Ltd., and he and his family developed their love of travel as they worked and lived in London, Santiago, Bombay (Mumbai), Milan, New York and finally Toronto. He retired as President of Lever, Canada. Scott's second career was as a Professor of International Marketing at Humber College, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Special thank you to Dr. A. Grewal and Dr. L. D'Silva and the staff of the Rebecca Medical Center; Dr. C. Cutrara of the Trillium Hospital Heart Center, Dr. J. Radvan and Dr. S. Fine of the Credit Valley Oncology Department and Dr. H. Brien and Dr. J. Orfi at OTMH – all for their superb care.
Our thanks to CCAC PSW's, Acclaim Nurses and his wonderful group of nighttime helpers over this past month.
The family would also like to thank Edward and his family at Edward's Pharmacy for their kindness and concern for Scott's well-being over the years.
To our dear friends and Neighbors, The Farleys, Farrows, Harrises, Dunsmores & Winters, who have been so helpful and caring over the years – we are so grateful for your love and support.
We would be remiss not to thank Katia Perreira and her family for their help and many kindnesses to our family over the past year.
A very special thank you to all of the Oakville Masters Golf group, especially Russell, Peter, John and Sherif for their encouragement, lunches & visits over this difficult time. He so enjoyed the game and camaraderie that were part of your many weekly outings.
Scott found great pleasure in retirement volunteering at the Orthopedic Clinic under Dr. Brien at OTMH – the happiest of afternoons with his buddy Joe. Scott loved to garden (potting, planting and pruning being his specialties). His childhood and adult love and participation in sport led to senior armchair viewing of tennis, golf, rugby, cricket and especially the "beautiful game of football." He read voraciously and was a crossword puzzle fanatic. He enjoyed listening to jazz, classical music and opera. He highly valued education, encourage curiosity & discovery in his children and grandchildren, and hoped his students would continue to learn, to think outside the box as he did. He had a great sense of humour and was respected by his peers. In all, a life happily and well lived.
Our final thanks to Dr. Helen Pyle who guided us with wisdom, compassion & humour through Scott's final weeks. We are so grateful to her for all of the above, thus enabling us to keep Scott at home to the end, where he wanted to be.
Cremation has taken place with arrangements through Kopriva Taylor Funeral Home. As per his request there will be no funeral or memorial service. From England to Australia, New York to California and Oakville to Florida, cards, emails, calls, well wishes and visits have been received with gratitude. The kindness, generosity & support are a tribute to their senders and to him. He was valued and loved and it was so nice for him to know this while he was still alive.
If desired, contributions in his memory can be made to Doctors without Borders, Autism Speaks, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital or Ian Anderson House and would be appreciated by the family.
A new journey has come, we wish him God's speed, send our love always and know that a piper or two sent him on his way. He will be so missed by us, his family.