Mr. Francis Scott-Pearse
Francis (Frank) Scott-Pearse
February 21,
1929 – April 6, 2021
With great
sadness we announce the passing of Frank after a short illness. He will be
sorely missed by his wife Diane (née Braden) of 67 years, their children and
spouses, Cydney & Wolfgang (Kaster), John, Andrea, and Claire & Sam
(Duboc). Grandpa was also adored by his
grandchildren, Hanna and Grace Loeppky, and the Duboc brood of Natalie,
Madeleine, Kendall and Jack.
Born in Perth
Scotland, Frank attended Cargilfield Prep School in Edinburgh, followed by
Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, graduating in 1948 as a Sub Lieutenant. After
a short stint of active duty, Frank decided on a different life. In 1949 he
moved to Canada and enrolled at the Ontario Agricultural College (University of
Toronto, Guelph) to study plant breeding. While a student, Frank joined the
Royal Canadian Navy (RNC) for several years. It was during his last stint in
1951 when he contracted polio, luckily surviving without any major impediment.
Upon graduation,
he worked for Dow Chemicals in Sarnia and married Diane in 1954. Inspired by
Dow, in 1959 he co-founded Agrospray Chemicals Limited (Sarnia & London),
selling agricultural chemicals and later a crop spraying service.
In 1970 he
moved into crop development when appointed as Director of Research &
Business Development at King Grain in Chatham, a highly rewarding role until
his retirement in 1994. He built the operation in depth and breadth, producing
new varieties of corn – he developed a patented method of producing hybrid
canola – soybeans, sorghum, rye/wheat crosses and canola, as he also introduced
several new types of crops to Canada. Year-round research was made possible
with the creation of a research facility in Chile.
Frank followed
his wide and varied personal interests in many different directions. Until polio put an end to it, Frank was a
runner whose excellent legs not only looked great under a kilt but also made
him a champion at middle and long distance running. He even competed for RNC against Olympic
athletes in 1948. His curiosity led him
to try wine making, becoming a ‘rock hound’ for a time, and learning the
language of any country where he would vacation. One of his enduring passions was evident in
his tireless efforts to build a comprehensive family tree.
Another was
music and singing. For many years, Frank
served as Treasurer of Orchestra London (Chatham-Kent Branch) and committee
member of Chatham Cultural Centre, arranging a vast array of events. But nothing gave Frank more pleasure than to
sing, be it choir music, Christmas carols, Gilbert & Sullivan or Broadway
shows. He was an active choir member of
Christ Church (Chatham), giving his full-throated best into his late 80’s. Loving
the theatre and all the fun of being on stage, Frank could be picked out as a
cast member in many an amateur production at OAC, the Grand Theatre (London)
and Chatham Cultural Centre. To his wife’s chagrin, he even grew a very full
beard to be fully in character for ‘Fiddler on the Roof’.
Frank was a
fountain of information, ready and able to expound on any given topic, albeit
perhaps to a level of detail beyond the grasp of others. He was certainly a
great help to his school-age kids. So,
it was totally in line with his character to volunteer with Canterbury
ElderCollege (a non-profit dedicated to lifelong learning for people over the
age of 55, affiliated with Univ. of Windsor) when a local branch was set up in
2011. Frank actively served in their Curriculum
Development and as a Course Facilitator.
Frank’s passing
leaves a great gaping hole for his wife, his children, and grandchildren. We
are blessed to have had him in our lives but relieved he is now past the pain.
Our bottomless gratitude for the absolutely wonderful staff of the Revera Retirement
Resort and the Chatham-Kent Hospice.
A private
family funeral was held on April 8th. In lieu of flowers, donations to a
charity of your choice in his name would be greatly appreciated. Of course, donations to Canterbury
ElderCollege or the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation would certainly not go
amiss.
Arrangements entrusted to the Alexander & Houle Funeral Home, 245 Wellington West, Chatham, 519-352-2710. On-line condolences may be left at www.alexanderfuneralhome.ca
Private Family Service
Expression of Sympathy: Canterbury ElderCollege or the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation
2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Francis Scott-Pearse 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Chatham, Province: Ontario