Farewell

In the midst of the stress and isolation of this pandemic, our church community suffered a shocking loss this week, unrelated to Covid-19.

Steve Scales, who sang in the choir and as a soloist for many years, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 5th. He was 67. It may have been a heart attack or an aneurism, but we may never know for sure. I wish I could give you a clear explanation, or make sense of this somehow, but it is senseless.

Since the pandemic started, Steve and I had talked on the phone several times: me checking with him about the condition of his brother and sister-in-law who had Covid-19, Steve worrying about everyone who was sick or in isolation. We always had a laugh or two in spite of everything.

I feel lucky to have had a visit with him and Aline recently, when I went by to take their picture for the newsletter (it was printed just last week). Before I arrived, Steve had prepared a little sign with the message “Peace be with you,” which he is holding up in the picture. It almost makes me wonder if Steve had a premonition that something was going to happen to him, but no, I think that was just Steve.

There are few people of whom it’s possible to say: he was always kind, he was always thoughtful – but that was Steve. I never knew him to have a quarrel with anyone. He wasn’t a pushover - he just chose to overlook our failings and see the best in all of us. Despite the suddenness of his death, I truly believe Steve was right with God and right with the world when he passed. Because he always was.

Steve was so important to so many people, his absence will be felt deeply, in and out of our church community. At SouthWest we will miss his singing, and his sweet, funny way of reading the weekly announcements. Steve was very involved in our In Touch Ministry, but it was never a job to him. Steve would have called and checked in with people, and visited people, whether there was a formal thing called In Touch or not. That was just who he was. He had an amazing empathy and love for people.

I apologize to anyone who is just finding this out as they read the newsletter.

I know we will all be holding Aline in our hearts and prayers in the days and weeks to come. We look forward to the day when we can celebrate Steve’s life in style.

Amy

Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.      (Shakespeare)

In his element.

Steve and Aline with Linda Dixon, Christmas 2011.

Goofing around at the St-Jean Baptiste BBQ, 2015. Photo by Helen Pantridge.

April, 2020.