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It is with great sadness that the family of Neil Marcellus Livingston (a.k.a deejay Scootz) announces his passing on Thursday September 26, 2024 at 8:00pm at the age of 53. Neil was only diagnosed days before with an advanced and rare form of renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) that progressed rapidly. He was surrounded in his final days in Toronto, Ontario by his family and many friends.
Neil will be lovingly remembered by his wife Claudia Gibson, together for more than 21 years, and their three young daughters: Nyah (11), Luna (7), Hannah (6). He will be missed by his sister Sara Cooper (nee. Elstone), brother-in-law Chad Cooper, niece Amelia Elstone-Cooper, nephew Holden Cooper, as well as his extended family and countless friends.
Neil deeply cared for his mother, Catherine Elstone, who raised him and his sister, and had just passed away in August 2023. Neil was predeceased (October 2020) by his father, James Livingston, who greatly inspired him academically.
Neil led a life focused on Family, Academics, Arts, and Service. He touched and impacted many lives, challenged all to think harder and explore, and brightened all our lives with his endless smile.
Neil grew up in Guelph and Elmira and graduated as valedictorian of Elmira District Secondary School (EDSS) in 1990.
He graduated from Queen’s University, Kingston (Environmental Science, Honours, 1995) and was a leader at Queen’s, serving as Director of Services for the AMS, heading Queen’s Project on International Development (QPID) and managing Queen’s Student Constables.
Neil later attended York University and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Environmental studies (Complex Systems Analysis) in 2014. He was in the process of completing his PhD at York in Humanities (Global Digital Gentrification). His academic life led him to travel repeatedly to Guyana and Costa Rica, and he found great joy sharing these experiences with other students. On campus, he was a beloved mentor to many of his students and peers.
Neil was a prolific artist, producer and creator and shared his music, mixes, photography, collages, writing and gardening results with all those around him, in the process forging many deep and lasting friendships. Neil was well known in Toronto and beyond for more than 25 years as the world-class DJ, deejay Scootz, where his knowledge and collection of reggae vinyl records was unparalleled. Deejay Scootz in turn was founding member of Serendipity, beatzFM, beatzMASSIVE*, and the editor of Lif*e magazine. As a founder of Beats To Da’ Streetz, he worked to help urban youth learn about entrepreneurship and leadership through music and DJing.
Neil was a student of life, and a teacher to many. Neil was a dedicated dad who loved his daughters and worked tirelessly to nurture his girls. Neil was a supportive husband/partner to Claudia who will miss him immensely – he was her rock and she was his muse.
A celebration of life will be held for Neil in late October in Toronto (date TBD). There will be a graveside service at Lakeview Cemetery in McKellar, ON. on Thursday October 3rd, 2024 at 11:45 AM. Anyone who wishes to join the family is welcome to attend. A pot-luck style lunch will be available following the service at Waubuno beach in Parry Sound, ON. Arrangements entrusted to the Torrance Funeral Home (89 Bowes St., Parry Sound)
Thursday September 26th 2024
Death notice for the town of: Parry Sound, Province: Ontario
death notice Neil Livingston Thursday September 26th 2024
obituaries notice Neil Livingston Thursday September 26th 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Neil Livingston Thursday September 26th 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.