“He was able to lace on skates well into his 80’s whenever ice formed on the lake at the family farm, as a younger man; he played hockey with the St. Croix Aces and the Hants County Farmers in The Windsor District League. An avid reader, he had great interest in political history and public affairs.” -- It was one segment of his obituary; yet, it seemed to well describe the ambitions of a long-time locally elected official.
Frederick Scott, a West Hants Municipal Councillor of 15 years and a founding member of the NDP, passed away on April 17; at the age of 98. On April 24, a memorial service was held in his honour at the St. Croix United Church.
Deputy Warden Gary Cochrane says Scott was a councillor before his time, yet he still knew him in later years through church and as an active member in the community.
“[Scott and his wife Leola] were really community orientated,” Cochrane said. “They’d both dedicated their whole lives to community ... and whenever you saw one you saw the other.”
“What I admire most about Scott was that he was a hard worker but he never liked to take the credit for it ... he just helped whenever he was called on,” Cochrane said. “I’m quite sure the community at large is going to miss him.”
“He worked off the land ... Fred was a good old-fashioned farmer,” Cochrane added. “I think his openness and being there; whenever he was needed to assist, was what this community really appreciated about him.”
In 1934, Scott began operating Elm Farm after attending the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro.
Warden Richard Dauphinee said Scott offered extra parking at his field in St. Croix (in 1998) when the Canadian Senior Men’s Fastpitch Championships took place.
He just agreed to let everyone park there for free and it’s because he has always been such a community minded person, Dauphinee said. “He’ll always be missed.”
I think his openness and being there, whenever he was needed to assist, was what this community really appreciated about him." - Gary Cochrane
Fredrick’s Nephew Ian Scott said his uncle was a good neighbour; yet, he was not one to brag. “[He] knew it wasn’t special honours or personal gain that mattered most but the simple sense of accomplishment that came from putting ideas into action.”
He was a great source of encouragement for young people too, Ian said. “He wouldn’t skimp on praise when it came to teaching children. Even in his 90’s he would cheer in great pleasure to see simple things -- like a well split piece of wood go flying or a well swung axe make good kindling.”
In politics, Fredrick was deeply committed to his cause, Ian said. “Seeing the NDP gain support of Nova Scotians in 2009 was something he never thought he would live to see.”
Family roots nurtured his focus to make things better for others, through his political actions, Ian said. “As a municipal elected official ... and, as a member of the CCF who ran provincially.”
“I especially liked going to the barn at milking time with Fred,” Ian said. “It was a time we were alone to chat while we worked.
“I recall once, as a student, when Ecology was becoming a public issue and I thought I knew everything; we were talking about various cycles: nitrogen cycles; water cycles and energy cycles,” Ian added. “What profound discussion we had that day I don’t recall, yet, as we looked at the lively brook full with the promise of spring – his answer is one I will never forget.”
That is how life works – it all keeps going around and around,” Scott told his nephew.
