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Reverend Scott Douglas Gale

1958 - 2018

Reverend  Scott Douglas Gale obituary, 1958-2018, Thunder Bay, ON

BORN

1958

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Everest Of Thunder Bay

299 Waverley St.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Scott Gale Obituary

October 8, 1958 – October 10, 2018

The Reverend Scott Douglas Gale, age 60 years, passed gently into Heaven on Wednesday, October 10, 2018.

Scott was born on October 8, 1958 in Hamilton, Ontario, the son of Douglas Clinton Gale and Shirley Mae (nee Dandenault). Originally born Dennis Paul Diebold, his birth mother was Hilda Diebold, and adopted as a newborn. Raised in Hamilton, he attended Saints Peter and Paul Schools, St. Thomas More High School and McMaster University. He worked as the executive assistant to the Hon. John R. Williams, Solicitor General of Ontario, before entering St. Augustine's Seminary in 1985. In 1990 he moved to Thunder Bay as Chaplain to St. Patrick and St. Ignatius High Schools. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic Priest for the Diocese
of Thunder Bay on July 11, 1993 (the feast of St. Barnabas – his confirmation name). Scott served as the Associate Pastor of St. Dominic's and then as Pastor of St. Francis Xavier, Balmertown (also ministering to Red Lake, Ear Falls, North Spirit Lake and Pikanjikum First Nations).

In 1997 Scott moved back to Thunder Bay as Pastor of St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church. Over the next seven years he led a dedicated team of parishioners in revitalizing this venerable faith community, and in upgrading the church, rectory and soup kitchen facilities. Over 1.1million was invested in the revitalization of the facilities, including handicapped accessibility, stained glass window restoration and a new “Jubilee” window in 2000. Scott personally contributed to the financial cost of refurbishing the parish's commercial kitchen.

In 2005 Scott moved to Marathon to Pastor Holy Saviour Parish, and to also serve the Pic River First Nation. In January 2006, Scott left active ministry as a Roman Catholic Priest, and transitioned into ministry in The United Church of Canada, beginning in 2008. Scott served as Minister at Broadway and Pinegrove United Churches in Thunder Bay, and was formally received into the Order of Ministry in the United Church on May 29, 2011. Scott then served for one year as the Minister at First United Church in Dryden, before retiring from full-time ministry. However, for many years, Scott regularly led Sunday services on “occasional” Sundays at United Church congregations throughout Cambrian Presbytery, especially at First-Wesley in Thunder Bay (where he also ministered full-time for 6 months in early 2014), and at Grace United in Nipigon. Scott felt truly blessed to have been part of so many people's lives over the many years in ministry.

Scott enjoyed living in Northern Ontario, and for 14 years he especially enjoyed his camp “Chelsea” on the Arrow River in Devon Township. He liked to canoe and kayak, and he loved to travel, especially after his retirement. In 2013 he was excited to sail the Great lakes for 10 days as a crew member on the Norwegian Tall Ship Sorlandet. Over the years, Scott contributed his time to many religious and community organizations, including the Knights of Columbus (3rd and 4th Degree), the Order of St. Lazarus, the Royal Canadian Legion, the John Howard Society, the Thunder Bay Council of Clergy, and the Thunder Pride Committee (including organizing Thunder Bay's 1st Gay Pride Parade in 2013). He was also a founding member of “Equality Rocks” (Thunder Bay's 1st GLBTQ Chorus) in 2014. Scott especially embraced his Scottish heritage and in later years embraced his German roots as well.

He is survived by his best friend Matthew William Lovering; his sister, Denise Stewart and her children Shane, Amy and Taylor, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Douglas and Shirley Gale.

Funeral services for the Rev. Scott Gale will be held on Monday, October 15, 2018 at 2:00 pm in St. Paul's United Church, 349 Waverley Street (near St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church – a fitting location to celebrate the life of a man who served in ministry in both the Roman Catholic and United Churches) with the Rev. Susan Ivany officiating. A service of remembrance under the auspices of the Royal Canadian Legion, Br. 5 will be held in conjunction with the Funeral Service.

Services will be complete in the church, with final burial to take place in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Burlington, Ontario. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma, with Roman Catholic Vigil Prayers offered at 7:30 pm in the Chapel.

Donations in Scott's memory many be made to St. Andrew's Dew Drop Inn; the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada or to the John Howard Society of Thunder Bay.

Please Sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal on Oct. 13, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Scott Gale

Sponsored by Everest Of Thunder Bay.

Not sure what to say?





14 Entries

Sean Brennan

February 2, 2021

Well done good and faithful servant. See you on the other side.

Dan Cyr

May 25, 2019

I just found out about Scott's passing today. So sorry. We had many memories together. I will visit at Holy Sepulchre. Rest In Peace brother.

Heather Sandilands

March 23, 2019

I am So Very Sad to hear of Scott's passing. He came to the United Church just as I was moving to Winnipeg, so we had many "newcomer" crossovers. I was always humbled by Scott's genuine generosity and caring and ability to acept people without judgement. (Except for the Wpg Bombers...As Mac alumna and Ti-Cats fan we enjoyed jeering together.) When I didnt see him last May at our annual meeting I assumed he was traveling. May your memories be a blessing.

Dennis O'Brien

November 1, 2018

I was so lucky to get to know Scott from his many visits to Washington, D.C. over the years. It is tragic that he was taken so young. He lived life to the fullest and helped his fellow men. My condolences to his family and close friends.

Judy McEwan

October 18, 2018

This is so hard to believe, I just sat with him last week at Presbytery and we had a great time catching up with what we had been doing the past year!
He was one of those people that I knew I could call upon for information and support.
He will be truly missed.
Judy McEwan Vermilion Bay United Church

October 17, 2018

May God speed this Good Man

Linda and Bob Hughdie

October 16, 2018

A Funeral Service that filled the Church and gave moments for memory and loss and joy in knowing Scott Douglas Gale. Scott changed lives. He lived Life in Faith and with Love. We are better for knowing him.

Shirley Lamontagne

October 15, 2018

A life gone too soon but he will always be remembered as a spiritual person RIP Father Scott

Peggy Grnett

October 14, 2018

I will miss him

Diane Turk

October 14, 2018

Rest In Peace <3

October 13, 2018

WE missed Father Scott very much after he left St. Andrew's. He was truly a dedicated man and lived by his beliefs. He helped others selflessly.

Christine Vucko

October 13, 2018

He was a beautiful man inside and out my family attended church he also married me and Tony in 2001 every time we seen him he always had that smile and I will always remember him never forgotten so sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers are with you all.

October 13, 2018

Here, raise your glass to a fine person who overcame many odds in life and still kept others first in his thoughts and actions. Brilliant guy and a good friend for many people. I hope this is a hoax to be honest.You will be missed Scott
Steve

October 13, 2018

So hard to absorb this news of our friend Scott leaving us so early and so suddenly. His Star always shone brightly. God Bless. A Life well lived. The Race well run. Linda and Bob Hughdie

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results

Memorial Events
for Scott Gale

Oct

14

Visitation

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Everest Of Thunder Bay

299 Waverley St., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5Z7

Oct

14

Vigil

7:30 p.m.

Everest Of Thunder Bay

299 Waverley St., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5Z7

Oct

15

Funeral service

2:00 p.m.

St. Paul's United Church

349 Waverley Street (near St. Andrew's), ON

Funeral services provided by:

Everest Of Thunder Bay

299 Waverley St., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5Z7