ALFIE SCOPP Obituary

SCOPP, ALFIE July 24, 2021 Happiness was always his goal but not only for himself. Of course you need a little happiness for yourself if you are going to share it generously with others. That's what Alfie Scopp did. He created Clarabelle the clown on the Canadian Howdy Doody TV show which entertained thousands of children from St. Johns to Victoria. He acted in dozens of other shows including multiple episodes in series. He also appeared in six feature films including the part of Avram in Norm Jewison's classic film Fiddler on the Roof. I met Alf in 1965 at the first rehearsal of my first Wayne and Shuster show and learned that he was a dedicated supporter of my Bohemian Embassy coffee house. He never saw new talent as competition. He saw it as his duty to be actively supportive. Without any thought of remunerations he was a talent scout par excellence. Dozens of successful musicians, singers and other performers adore Alfie because of his help and encouragement. As Program Manager for Front Page Challenge, CBC's long-running super show, Alfie introduced the world to a wide range of interesting characters. He helped his writing buddies Frank Peppiatt and John Aylward mount their classic series Hee Haw. He also assisted them mounting the flagship show getting the Global network off the ground, Everything Goes. All this from a depression kid from a poor family in Montreal who got involved with comedy skits while in the armed forces in World War 2. He had to quit school at grade seven to help the family but his curiosity never left him. He couldn't afford the academy but I insist that he was a non-academic intellectual. He was never that interested in reward. The artistic outcome was what interested him. I occasionally wondered if he had an ego. He never sought celebrity but celebrity sought him. He was Robert Goulet's best man for two of Bob's marriages. He was often invited to Los Angeles or Las Vegas to events overflowing with celebrities. With his dearly loved mate and partner Cheryl Wyre, Alfie got together with his much-loved friends Keith and Linda McKie. He and Keith wrote songs together. There was huge emotional support among them. When we celebrated Alfie's one hundredth birthday a couple of years back at Performing Arts Lodge, the turnout and the gratitude was overwhelming. Thanks for everything Alfie.

Published by Toronto Star on Jul. 27, 2021.

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Memories and Condolences
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8 Entries

Julie and Scott Salverson

August 31, 2021

Alfie was a wonderful person ... Alfie always thought of others before himself, even in his late 90's when you visited he'd lead the conversation with what you were doing, engaging in your interests, not his own.
He always gave.
Going in for his hip surgery at the age of 101 ... the surgeon said Alfie 'lit up the room ' with jokes and one liners.
It's true, Alfie's goal was happiness ... your happiness.
At 100 while visiting him at the nursing home ... Alfie remarked that he wasn't bored ... because he had such wonderful memories.
Alfie, you were a wonderful, wonderful being ... you are truly our loss.

Donna Buck

Family

August 13, 2021

To the five daughters of Ernie and Audrey Saracini, Alfie Scopp, was our Uncle Alfie. As a baby, I was carted around to the various parties and had the distinction of wetting his bed, a story he told, to my mortification on various occasions. He was often at the home of our grandparents before my parents were married and was overjoyed when he learned that my mother had learned how to cook Grandma’s Italian meals. Uncle Alfie sometimes confused dates. When he was invited for dinner he would often show up for dinner late, ie, the next evening. Mum would always hold back a serving of her famous meatballs for Alfie which he enjoyed while having dinner with us on the day he arrived. He would always leave with a doggie bag for later. He and my parents and their dear friend, Joan Curtis, remained lifelong friends and he enriched their lives with his happy-go-lucky temperament and his irresistible sense of humour. He became was our friend too. We will miss him.

Jo-Anne Saracini

Friend

August 6, 2021

The Saracini clan always looked forward to Uncle Alfie’s visits. We had many parties where we danced and ate spaghetti dinners , had many laughs and great conversations.
I remember in the late 60’s , Uncle Alfie used to say ,’ That’s groovy ‘ Then , in the 70’s , Uncle Alfie and I were talking and he said, ‘Oh , that’s groovy’ I said, to Uncle Alfie , ‘ You don’t say that anymore, You say , ‘ That’s cool ‘
I’ll miss his laugh and his beautiful smiling face.
Uncle Alfie, you’ll shine your star so bright , we’ll always know where to find you and you will forever stay in our hearts.
Love Laura Saracini ( Jackson)
And the girls , Jo-Anne, Michele, Cheryl and Val

Laura Saracini

Family

July 30, 2021

I have always loved you. You stepped up like a father figure to me when my father, your brother Joe died and you kept in touch with me always. I remember many winters when you would come live with us. We we're close family. I loved your bubbly personality. You can to all my son Zack's early childhood birthday parties to join and celebrate with us. You and Cheryl came to stay with Uco and myself and we all drove to The Florida Keys and had lunch Oceanview. We both went to the beach together. All these memories I will forever. Rest in Peace, my dearest Uncle Alfie. You will definitely be missed. Luv n kizzes, as you used to write on my Valentine's Day Cards.

Shelley Blanke

Family

July 30, 2021

Alfie was truly, a person who deserved to live longer or as long as he did. He will be missed greatly as Fireball and Charlie in the Box in Rudolph's 1964 special.

Mikahail Richardson

Student

July 27, 2021

Keith & Linda McKie and Family

July 27, 2021

My late father, Jack Poch, used to kvell when watching (with me) Clarabelle perform on TV. Dad was a contemporary of Alfie's and always spoke very highly of him as a person and as a professional. Now he goes on to entertain in higher spheres. Yehei zichro baruch.

Harvey Poch

Acquaintance

July 27, 2021

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