Scott Dennis

I would like to begin by thanking everyone here today for taking time out of their own lives to say good bye to a man who meant so much to my family and no doubt made a profound impression on you all.

When my Mother approached me a couple months ago and asked me to prepare a eulogy for my Father I was deeply honoured and yet frightened at the same time. I did not want to think about this final chapter in my Father’s life and worse yet was afraid that when the time came I would not be able to give a suitable homage to a man that meant so much to my Mother, Brother, and I.

Over the past months and years my Father took whatever steps he could think of to make his eventual departure as little a burden as possible on his dear wife and family. He even took the time to review the video montage prepared by the Brosseaus before giving it his seal of approval. I only wish that he could have written this speech for me today.

I know that that would not have been possible for my Dad because he was too humble of a man. He never liked to be the focus of attention but rather was more interested in hearing what was new in your life. Many people have told us that they loved talking to Scotty whenever he worked at Sears, was out having coffee with Rick or Ken, breakfast with Richard or Jim, or simply stopping by the condo to visit. He never dwelled on his condition but rather focused on positive matters so that people never felt uncomfortable being with him.

I am told though, that when Dad had his choice on the topic of conversation that he loved to sing the praises of his two sons, Jason and I. I do hope that our tales of adventure were not too boring for everyone. Jay and I learned very early in life that our passions, hobbies, and interests quickly became those of our Father. It did not matter what we chose to do or what we wanted to become, our Father was always behind us 100% with his love and support. He only wanted to see us happy.

When my brother embarked on his new business venture, Summit Fitness, our Father never hesitated in providing him with the support and guidance to see his dream materialize.

Prior to that, football was a large part of my Brother’s life and as such was a large part of my Father’s too. He always happily took my brother to his practices and was on the side lines cheering Jason on during all of his games. He became part of the local football executive and regularly watched NFL and CFL football games on TV with his youngest son. The Superbowl parties actually became a yearly tradition that brought the three of us closer together following the end of our university lives and our return to the Cornwall area.

I don’t know how he did it but he always seemed to have time for his sons. He loved us equally and while Jason had his football I had my Jeeps and offroading. I don’t think my Father ever thought I would find excitement in the Ontario and Quebec back country driving around with others in our modified and lifted Jeeps but it didn’t matter, he was going to be along for the bumpy ride. If I hadn’t promised my passenger seat to someone else he would happily ride shotgun on my adventures. On one trail run I learned what an athlete my Father still was. After putting the Jeep into an unexpected off camber position tilting the Jeep WAY over on his side he unbuckled his seat belt and darted out of the doorless Jeep faster than Ben Johnson saying, “I can’t handle this!”.

Some of those offroad excursions became weekend camping events and that is when I think Dad really fell in love with the hobby. He really enjoyed meeting all my offroad buddies and sitting around a campfire at night talking Jeep. At one point he told me that he really enjoyed camping but that it was just not my Mother’s “thing” and that her idea of camping was a 3 star hotel.

Despite their differences our Father loved our Mother dearly and he knew the first time he met her that she was the woman for him. On an evening nearly 40 years ago their paths crossed at the Cornwallis Hotel and their lives would forever be changed. With his confidence mustered he strode across the room and proceeded to introduce himself to Barbara Ann Alguire. After extolling all of his affections and complimenting her on her beauty he proclaimed that she would one day be his wife. His steady perseverance paid off as soon they were dating, then engaged, and ultimately married. The fact that he had a car too didn’t hurt.

Together they became a formidable parenting duo. No child could have asked for better parents. Family was always the highest priority to Dad and Mom. We always had dinner together, went on several trips together, spent the summer down at the cottage together, and gathered together with the rest of the family during ALL the holidays.

You would think that after all of that time spent together Dad might be a little relieved to see us leave the nest so that he could perhaps pursue other interests. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact Mom has told us that whenever they dropped Jason or I off at university down in London or Waterloo Dad would always be quiet and sullen with his headed tilted away from Mom as they made the long drive home along the 401. He would even be teary eyed in the days that followed. He simply missed his boys dreadfully.

My Father’s love for my Mother never faded. He would do whatever it took to make her happy and gladly took on the challenge given to him by his Father-in-law on their wedding day to take care of her for the rest of his life. Even as they got older Dad would have no qualms putting on a public display of affection in front of my brother and I despite our chagrins. He loved to hug and kiss his “Tooty”.

Dad was Mom’s ROCK. She could always count on him to be there and with his support she has been able to spread her wings and become a strong, independent, and loving woman, wife, and Mother.

A lot could be learned from their marriage and at times I have asked Dad for advice on this topic. I can’t recall how the conversation came about but one day but I asked my Father if he ever had difficulties with my Mother’s LOVE for a VERY clean and tidy household. He grinned at me and told me that he knew the day he proposed to my Mother that he would be spending the rest of his life living in a museum.

Some of Dad’s greatest moments were being able to see both of his sons getting married. He loved the women we had chosen to be our wives and equally loved to share with them one of his favourite all-time sayings, “You know my dear, there are two kinds of people in this world. Dennis’, and those that want to be Dennis’”…Did I say he was a humble man, my mistake.

I think that one of his greatest joys was the birth of his grandchildren, Lydia, and Preston. He was so looking forward to becoming a grandfather and spoiling them as rotten as possible. If Jay and I are half the Father he was to us then our children will be better off than most.

Dad’s only regrets were that he would not be around to see his grand children grow up, spend time helping out his sons, and traveling near and far with his wife.

As he lay in his bed on Tuesday morning I leaned in and told him that I loved him and that I couldn’t have asked for a better Father. He told me that he loved me and simply asked that I take care of our Mother. I know that if he could of he would have enveloped me in a warm bear hug as he often did.

My Father was the greatest man I have ever known. He was smart, loving, considerate, hard working, and had a warm smile. He was more than a Father and a Husband to our family, he was our Best Friend.

I would like to send out a special thank you to those individuals who have spent a lot of time with my Father over the past couple of years as his health deteriorated. I will not mention names as they know who they are but I am certain that it is because of your kind gestures that he was able to remain so active for so long. For this our family is eternally grateful to you.

I am sure that Dad is looking down on us now, smiling, and slightly humbled by the number of lives that he has touched. And if he could speak to us now I am sure that he would say to not worry about him because things are just Tickety-Boo.