Scott Maynard Guptill
1960-2020
Mr. Scott Maynard Guptill, 59, passed away peacefully
surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with head and neck
cancer on February 8th, 2020 at the Grand Manan Hospital. Though his
birth certificate displays his birthplace as born in St. Stephen, NB
May 17th, 1960, he would often proclaim he was from planet
Zoltar.
Scott grew up in Grand Harbour until marrying his wife
Deborah May Guptill (Griffin), and in 1980 they purchased their
forever home located in Woodward’s Cove. Scott and Deborah
began their adventure into parenthood with their eldest daughter
Morgan (Diva Muffin) Guptill (Dan Baird) of Cole Harbour, NS, second
daughter Adrienne (Moon Unit) Guptill of Castalia, and son Judson
(Dweezil) Guptill (Jennifer Green) of Grand Harbour. Scott’s
memory also lives on though his three grand children Aleric and Lucia
Green; Jasper Green, sisters; Jonelle Hepditch (James) of North Head
and Deborah Fleet (Ward) of Fall River, NS, brothers-in-law; Duane
Griffin (Carolyn), Randy Griffin (Crystal), and John Griffin
(Shelley), nieces; Paige Drake (Richard), Janice Fleet, Alicia Cook
(James), Laci Hepditch, Lindsay Craig (Jimmy), Ali Griffin, nephews;
Justin Griffin (Lindsay), Jamin Griffin (Jennifer), great-nephew
Griffin Craig, great-nieces Charlotte and Isla Griffin; Jessa Griffin,
his fur baby Spike (the cat), and countless other cherished family
members, friends, acquaintances, and
coworkers.
Scott was pre-deceased by his mother Alice Guptill (Green),
his father-in-law Gerald Griffin, his spleen in a car accident in
Maynard’s Chevy Nova, two thirds of his tongue, some lymph
nodes, and many pets that he adored over the years. There was not a
single grey hair on his head when he passed – I really hope he passed
those genes on to me.
The nicknames Scott gave his children were the names of
musician Frank Zappa’s children. Music was always a passion
of Scott’s. He was in a band called Zinc. Inc. during his
high school years in which he played keyboard, clad in Beatle-esque
attire! Family road trips were not complete without Roger Miller, and
much to Deborah’s disapproval, Sunday brunch was never
complete without some 90’s grunge, Arlo Guthrie’s
album Alice’s Restaurant or Jimmy
Hendrix’s Woodstock rendition of «Star Spangled
Banner.»
In his younger years Scott attended many shows featuring
artists such as Tina Turner, Meatloaf, Alice Cooper, and The
Tragically Hip (twice he’d brag, giving me the peace sign).
Together we attended concerts by ZZ Top, Dweezil Zappa, David Wilcox,
Sloan, Alice In Chains, The Pack A.D., MAdM, Monster Truck and Stone
Temple Pilots (STP) prior to lead singer Scott Weiland’s
passing. In 2009 after landing a paper airplane on the stage with our
written request inside, STP played «Still Remains»; one of
Dad’s favourite songs. He had one final listen to that song
on his trip back to the planet Zoltar. He would often say, «This
is what I like about my rock n’ roll life – there’s a song
for every moment.»
Other passions of Scott’s included spending time
with friends and family, reading, investing, curling, gardening,
collecting coins, rat eradication, razzing Mom, frying bacon with no
shirt on, and watching his crush Rachel Maddow on Bloomberg. He was
also the most meticulous lawn mower and laundry hanger I have ever
met. Speaking of meticulous, I’m positive Scott had both OCD
and brumotactillophobia – the fear of foods touching. This combination
would ensure that at the end of every meal there was exactly one
separate bite of each kind of food left on his plate. He was equally
terrified of spiders and holiday spending and passed these traits on
to his three children. He would proclaim, «Jesus
wouldn’t be into this orgy of Christmas spending.» He
was obsessed with the news until starting a news blackout the day
President Donald Trump was elected. After 190 consecutive days,
curiosity got the best of him and the blackout abruptly
ended!
Scott had worked at many island businesses including Little
Rock Fisheries, Green Sea Products, MG Fisheries, and Cooke
Aquaculture. He was most recently the assistant manager of The
Surfside Motel and held many clients as a freelance bookkeeper with
extreme attention to detail. Over the years he was a member of The
Grand Manan Curling Club, Woodward’s Cove Council, Village
Of Grand Manan Council, Planning Advisory Committee, and Community
Watch. He graduated from the Grand Manan High School class of
‘78 and New Brunswick Community College Saint Andrews class
of ’79 with a business diploma.
Scott would often say, «I stopped caring about birthdays
after I turned 30 – I’m just happy to have them now.»
On the day of his 57th birthday he told me that he’d
«had a first.» Bradley Foote dropped by the house to ask if
Deborah was home. He alleged she had missed a spot during a recent
haircut. After some deliberation, Scott figured he would test his
barbering skills and proceeded to do just that. I bet Bradley was sure
to call ahead from then on!
When we were children, we would go for Sunday drives in
Dad’s Jeep. He read to us regularly including the Harry
Potter series and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I can’t
imagine what kind of patience it must have taken listening to the
three of us fight while he read. He instilled many of his morals and
values in us over the years. He beat up the monsters under my bed, (I
heard it myself), and he also stood up against the monsters of my
adolescent years. I could not be more proud of my
father.
Dad, wherever you end up we can only hope you’re
surrounded by the best music (country excluded), delicious food, and
thought-provoking conversation for your intellectually curious self.
I’m sure if I could ask where you were going you would still
say, «crazy man, wanna come?»
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the caring
staff of the Grand Manan Hospital, Hallie Bass NP, Laurida Ells, and
countless others who have extended their love and support. For those
who wish, a donation in Scott’s memory may be made to the
Charlotte County Cancer Society, Grand Manan Hospital Foundation, or
to the memorial of your choice.
Scott didn’t imagine a traditional funeral for
himself, instead he preferred the idea of a party with good food,
music and laughter, and Pink Floyd’s
‘Time’ as his eulogy.
A celebration of life will be held at the Grand
Manan Curling Rink from 1-3pm on Sunday, May 17th, 2020.
Cremation will take place. Arrangements have been
entrusted to Ells Funeral Home Inc., 1199 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB
E5G 1G2. Messages of sympathy may be sent to www.ells.ca or (506)662-3116.
– Diva Muffin out
19602020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Scott Maynard Guptill 19602020..
Décès pour la Ville: Grand Manan, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick