Anglican family mourns Diocesan Treasurer Fred Scott

Anglican family mourns

Diocesan Treasurer Fred Scott

by Ana Watts

Canon (Leeman Frank) Fred Scott , Treasurer of the Diocese of Fredericton Synod and Canon of Christ Church Cathedral, died suddenly on Friday afternoon, Sept. 30 in Fredericton. During his 27 year Synod Office career many New Brunswick Anglicans knew him through Diocesan Council and myriad other committees, especially finance and investment. He was also friend to several generations of parish treasurers. He served four bishops — Archbishop Harold Nutter, Bishop George Lemmon, Bishop Bill Hockin and Archbishop Claude Miller. It was Bishop Lemmon who made him an Honorary Lay Canon of Christ Church Cathedral in January of 1996, an honour he shares with past chancellors Ron Stevenson and Charles Ferris. However, the New Brunswick Anglicans who knew him best were his close colleagues at the Synod Office.

"Words are limited when reflecting on Fred's relationship with God, family, fellow workers and the diocese,” says Archbishop Miller. “Earthly superlatives pale when set against the essence of his true loyalty and devotion to God and the Church. God saw fit to enable Fred with the gift of generosity; we were privileged to witness it every day in his leadership. A true personal and corporate servant has gone from us. God was and is glorified in the lives of the faithful. Well done good and faithful servant."

Archdeacon Geoffrey Hall, the Bishop’s Executive assistant and the Secretary of Synod, called Fred a dear friend, confidant and brother in Christ. “I recognize the enormous gift he has been to the diocese over his time of service. The Honour of Lay Canon bestowed on him only began to recognize his contribution to God and his Church. Fred was never anything but a stabilizing, common sense presence. When he spoke he did so with a depth of knowledge and understanding about matters in and around the diocese and of the practicalities of our Christian Faith. I've always maintained that Fred did the work of three or four normal people. I'm certain as time goes by we will discover even more ways he helped us all. It will take a considerable amount of time for us to return to business as usual, if we ever do. He is irreplaceable.”

The Bishop’s Secretary Phyllis Cathcart worked with Fred longer than anyone. “We had lunch together for more than 23 years and shared stories about our families. His family was always precious to him, and mention of his grand daughters Rose and Laura made his eyes light up. He always had time to listen, whether I talked about work or my personal life. I never once heard him raise his voice or get irritated, even when it was warranted.

“He was also incredibly willing to do whatever he could — first in the office every morning he turned up the heat in winter, turned on the air conditioners (which he also installed each year) in the summer. He took out the garbage, shoveled and salted the steps and walkways, even took care of the spiders, bats and birds who found their way into the building.

“When someone in the office retired he wrote hilarious poems about them, I was looking forward to hearing what he would write about me and now I will never know. The diocese has lost a rare gem, and I have lost a very dear friend.”

Diocesan Administrative Officer Maureen Vail is the new kid on the Synod Office block — she was appointed in 2006 — but it is she who worked most closely with Fred. “I thanked God every morning when I came to work because Fred was such a blessing, a wonderful person to work with and one of the finest people I have ever met. He was kind, helpful and had a wonderful sense of humour. He made it a pleasure to come here and work. I can’t say enough about him, and I feel lost without him.”

Diocesan Canon for Youth and Youth Action Director George Porter appreciated Fred’s quiet ways and sharp wit. “ Fred was an amazing person who lead without presumption, most of the time quietly and behind the scenes. Unless one was really observing, one would miss most of his service/ministry. His sense of humour and the love we shared for classic cartoons often lightened my days. He was an ongoing support and encouragement to me both personally and in my role with youth ministry in the diocese. Fred cared on many levels.”
Camp Medley director Liz Harding acknowledged Fred was an incredible support to her and encouraged her and her staff in camp ministry. “He understood that Camp Medley, the Christian camp experience, was changing kids lives.” His family’s decision to include Camp Medley as an option for memorial donations underscores that commitment

Fred had great respect and admiration for Gerald (Gerry) McConaghy, current chair of the Diocesan Finance Committee. The feeling was mutual. “It was a privilege and honour to work with Fred,” said Gerry. “He was never out of sorts, and while he probably had much to be frustrated about he was always in good humour. He cared deeply about each and every parish and the work of the diocese. He had many talents and gave generously of them to the diocese and parishes. Fred was straight as an arrow, never given to spin — the essence of integrity. He carried an incredible workload, was extremely competent, and was a truly dedicated Christian. Fred’s passing means a great hole in the Diocesan Anglican Family. I’ll miss him, and the Anglican family will miss him terribly.”

Although not a New Brunswick Anglican, Diocesan Insurance Advisor Jarvis De Condé of Halifax also worked closely with Fred. “I enjoyed him immensely, his guidance, help and understanding were invaluable, but it is his e-mails I will never forget. He had an incredible sense of humour and he regaled me with so many fine ones over the years that I actually kept them! Whenever I asked him about something that he couldn’t remember ‘off the top of his head’ he would say ‘My memory has gone wherever my hair went.’

“Not too long ago we were talking about something and I mentioned I was 72. He said ‘Well, I hope I’m like you when I get to 72.’ I am so sorry he won’t do that now.

“I feel lost just knowing he is no longer in his office doing the work he did so well. From whom do I take my guidance? Who do I call when I have a problem? I depended on him so much.”

So did we all.

Ana Watts is Diocesan Communications Officer.

As a colleague of Fred’s I want to add just some brief comments of my own. His wit was razor sharp, he smiled most of the time, knew the lyrics of every rock and roll song from 1960s and 70s and loved to go to a good concert at Magnetic Hill. But his most amazing talent was the ability to zero-in on the nub of a Scripture passage and define it in ways none of us had ever considered before, not even the PhDs around the table! I think the only thing in life he did better than that was cherish his family, especially his precious granddaughters.