It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Geno Scattolon of Antigonish in High-Crest Home for Special Care in Sherbrooke on October 11, 2019 at the age of 91.
Born on September 4, 1928 in Dominion, Cape Breton, he was the youngest son of the late Romano and Assunta (Braganollo) Scattolon.
Geno graduated from St. Ann’s High School in Glace Bay and received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from St. Francis Xavier University in 1951. He continued his education at Springfield College, Massachusetts, earning a master’s degree and returned to St. F.X. to complete a Bachelor of Education which led to a career as a physical education teacher.
He thoroughly enjoyed his professional career, including 35 years at St. Andrew Rural/Junior High. Geno was a teacher who had a wonderful, compassionate way with students and a rare sense of humour that drew them to him. He coached hockey, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track and field, and fostered a healthy love for sport among his students.
He contributed to his community in many ways. He was a dedicated minor hockey coach, hockey referee, Clerk of the Course at the Antigonish Highland Games, and a starter for Special Olympics. He was honoured for his dedication to the Royal Canadian Legion Summer Leadership Camp for 35 years at Acadia University.
Geno was a passionate and skilled athlete throughout his life. As a university student, he was an exceptional varsity hockey, rugby, and football player and was captain for both Hockey and Rugby. Geno was Captain of the 1951 Maritime Intercollegiate Championship Hockey Team, a team which came close to being selected to attend the Winter Olympics. In the summers, he played on four baseball teams and two softball teams. He played senior hockey on a variety of Eastern Nova Scotia teams. Geno was inducted into the St. F.X. Hall of Fame as both an individual and team member, as well as the Pictou and Nova Scotia Sports Halls of Fame. He was a daily jogger ("the Geno Shuffle") for 40 years, and in his later years was a regular at the university gym. He continued to cheer on the X-Men with his good friend, Murray.
Most importantly, Geno will be remembered for the relationships he forged with others. His original personality and great sportsmanship have made him a host of friends.
Geno is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Yvonne (MacDonald), his son David (Sharon), daughters Gina (Chris Reynolds) and Yvette (Louis Brill). He was the cherished grandfather of Vincent, Anthony, and Marco Scattolon, Georgia Reynolds, and Chris and Arianna Brill.
Predeceased by his brothers, Londo and Duvilio, and his stepmother, Anna.
Special thank you to the staff at High Crest Nursing Home in Sherbrooke, NS. for their compassionate and loving care.
Visitation will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 11:00am in St. Ninian Cathedral, Reverend Donald MacGillivray presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery.
In Memoriam, donations to High-Crest Home Sherbrooke appreciated. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.
As Geno would say, "Keep your head up, and your eyes on the puck."