East Lyme - Robert Woodrow "Woody" Scott, of East Lyme, died on Dec. 26, 2009, at his home, 32 Scott Road, where he was born 93 years ago.
He was born Dec. 8, 1916, son of Walter and Lillian (McClay) Scott, brother of Dorothy Dancy, Wainwright "Bun" Scott, and E. Wilbur Scott, all deceased. He attended Flanders School, Chapman Technical School, the University of Connecticut, and Michigan State University.
In 1945, he married Jane Meadnis of East Lyme, with whom he raised nine children. They had a happy and busy marriage for 40 years. After her death, he married Betty Whittlesey Johnson of Niantic, but was widowed again in 1989. Then he lived alone, with the help of relatives and caregivers, until his death. However, alone was not lonely, as his home was headquarters for his large extended family.
Woody was a lifelong fruit and vegetable farmer. With his father and brother,Wainwright, he operated Scott Orchards, with apple orchards along Scott Road and a roadside market on the Boston Post Road. For many years he also sold apples wholesale, supplying First National and A & P stores from Groton to Madison, the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, and produce markets in Providence. Woody helped his sons start similar farm businesses, until today there are also Scott's Farm Markets in Glastonbury, Essex, Deep River, Old Saybrook, and Winfield, Pa.
Two of Woody's most popular undertakings were Pick-Your-Own strawberries and farm tours. In June, cars would line up early in the morning on Dean Road, waiting for the berry fields to open.Woody loved having the crowds enjoying the summer outing but hated seeing his beautiful berries crushed underfoot. He could often be heard loudly berating his customers, which they accepted as part of the experience. In September, the traffic on Scott Road alternated between flatbed trucks laden with large bins of the apples, and yellow school buses loaded with children touring the orchards. Hundreds of local schoolchildren, under Woody's personal direction, walked through the orchards, picked gourds and pumpkins in the vegetable fields, sipped fresh cider, and shivered in the cold storage.
In 1987, most of the Scott Road Orchard was sold, and Woody used some of the proceeds to establish the Jane Scott Mission Fund, in honor of his late wife, whom he had considered a partner in all he did. For the next 20 years, Woody drove many miles daily among his sons' farms in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, delivering supplies, produce, and advice (gratis).
In addition to actual farming, Woody loved the land itself. As a young man, he spent winters cutting witch hazel in the woods of eastern Connecticut for the Dickinson Mill in Essex. As a result, he was familiar with every back road in the area, and could tell you how to get anywhere three different ways. Later, he bought, sold, and often developed land in East Lyme, which accounts for local street names like Enid, Whitney, etc.
He used his knowledge of land for the benefit of the Town of East Lyme, serving on the Planning Commission for many years. He had an ability to look at maps and plans and visualize the actual land represented. His leisure reading consisted of subdivision regulations. In addition, he served on three school building co!llmittees and ended his civic activities with several terms on the board of finance.
Woody was well-known locally for his generosity and his genial personality. He could start a conversation with anyone, including non-English speakers (yell louder), and felt at home anywhere, no matter what his attire. His position was that a farmer's "uniform" was appropriate anywhere. His real interest in and honest concern for people made him many friends, despite his total lack of tact. He had a short fuse.
Woody was a Christian, a member and lifelong trustee of Flanders Baptist and Community Church. His faith was simple and unwavering. His family was extremely important to him. He was an indulgent father and very indulgent grandfather. He leaves a large family to remember him, with a very large supply of stories for laughter.
He is survived by his daughter, Enid (John) Wolch of Versailles and their children, Jennifer Wolch, David (Lynn) Wolch, Mary Wolch, and Naomi (Camilo) Rosa, and his daughter, Naomi (Peter) Tomasik of East Lyme; his son, Woody (JoAnn) Scott of Glastonbury and their children, Michael Scott and Charlie (Wendy) Scott, his son, Winston (Diane) Scott of Deep River and their children, Jane (Scott) Lavezzoli, Emily Scott, and Hannah Scott, his son, Wilson (Clara) Scott of Norwich and their children, Amy (Manuel) Diaz and Wilson (Kimberly) Scott II, his son, Webster (Lisa) Scott of East Lyme and their children, William (Tammie) Scott, Mary (Chris) Sanchez, Beth Scott, Lydia Scott, Anna Scott, and Laura Scott, his son, Whitney (Corina) Scott of Winfield, Pa., and their children, Markus Scott and Grace Scott, his late son Walter's wife, Dolores Scott of East Lyme and their children, Walter Scott Jr., Rebecca Hornby, and Andrea Scott, and his late son Wayne's wife, Kathy Meyers Scott of Oakdale and their children, Nathanael (Callie) Scott, Woodrow Scott, and Katie Scott. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Reyna, Benjamin, Felicia, Noah, Chayse, MacKenzie, Violet, Otto, Clementine, Jovannah, Paige, Tristan, Leila, Sophia, Kaelyn, and Andrew.
He was predeceased by his sons, Walter and Wayne Scott.
Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at 32 Scott Road, East Lyme. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at Flanders Baptist and Community Church, Boston Post Road, East Lyme. Interment will be private.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Jane Scott Mission Fund, Flanders Baptist Church, 138 Boston Post Road, East Lyme CT 06333.
Arrangements made by Byles Memorial Home, New London.
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