Obituary for J. Scott Wells
WELLS – J. Scott
Peacefully, at his home on Saturday, July 24, 2021; of R. R. # 2 Paris, in his 92nd year.
Scott Wells, otherwise known as “Scotty Wells”, was born just outside of Paris, but he was always an Ayr boy. His parents, Jay and Eva Wells raised him on a farm located at the end of Keg Lane, then a quiet little community of farming families like the Buck’s, the Cochrane’s, Deans and McCorkindale’s. His mother, a devout Christian was keen to teach him right and wrong and his Father, always quick to laugh, would teach him to be mischievous and enjoy a simple country life. Scott , being a quick study, learned both lessons very well. His early years in school were spent at Keg Lane School and his high school years were spent at Paris District High School where he played basketball for the school team. Graduating in 1950, his mother’s heart was swollen with pride as he was awarded the Bernhardt Trophy for most outstanding male athlete, but she called it “ best boy award”.
It was in the 50’s that Scott’s athletic abilities came to the communities attention when he captained the Ayr Rockets Hockey team. Being 6’ tall, Scott was fast and agile and led the scoring for the team for many years. In the off season, he played ball with the Ayr Vets as a solid third baseman with a strong throwing arm and a line drive bat. Both the hockey team and the baseball team enjoyed All Ontario Championships during his time playing. It was his speed and ability that made him a worthy opponent, but it was his humility, sense of humour and contagious smile and laugh that made him a friend to all in and out of the game.
It was also in those early days of the 50’s that a certain young Ayr girl named Joyce Armstrong plucked up the courage to call him up and invite him to a Sadie Hawkins Dance. Thus began a long and beautiful partnership that lasted for 53 years, and longer.
Scott and Joyce married in 1953 and settled down to live at the farm. Together, they raised 5 children, Don, Chris, Bill, Jay and Susan.
Their home was open and hospitable to all and you never came to visit without a long chat and some sort of food being placed in front of you.
No one ever had car trouble in front of the farm that didn’t get help from Scott. When a California family had trouble with their motor home, Scott and Joyce put them up for two days till the parts for their motor home arrived. Scott made friends everywhere he went. Regardless of their station in life, he treated everyone the same. Every waitress, cab driver, CEO or GM he encountered all walked away thinking, what a nice man. His true gift was his ability to put people at ease and make you feel special.
Working with Scott on the farm would be a full day and hard work. Only once was he ever too sick to work when he contracted the mumps. Otherwise, he worked through broken bones, colds and flus like it was just another day. Despite the hard work, there was always time for a laugh and a big meal beside the pond which usually ended up with someone being thrown in.
The fabled Wells Pond at the farm was where Scott learned to first skate and play hockey and he also taught his children to play, having three talented sons who played hockey in Ayr and one that made it to the NHL in 1979 and played for 18 seasons. Scott was proud to be present for the game in New York in which his son Jay won the Stanley Cup in 1994 with the New York Rangers. But his pride did not stop there as he shared in the joy and excitement of each of his children’s and grandchildren’s accolades and accomplishments.
After farming for about 80 years, he finally had to give up field work. He couldn’t get in the tractor anymore despite his deep desire and sharp mind. He was resigned to supervising from the Gator at age 89, but he never retired from managing the operations of the farm. The farm was his pride and his children were his joy. His wife was his heart and his comfort and God his guiding light. He was not one to preach or pray out loud except at the dinner table, but instead he tried to instil in his family a moral compass of honesty, generosity and humility.
Scott was an only child, but he did not lack for family. Eventually, he would enjoy 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. To say that Scott was loved by his family would be a great understatement and at the time of his passing, the room could not contain all the family that wanted to be by his side. Witty to the very end, with a weakened voice, he would tease and joke with the people surrounding him and charm the nurses that came to help.
If you asked Scott, he didn’t feel he had anything special to offer, but if you asked anyone who had ever spent any time with him, they would tell you Scott was one of a kind…..rare and good.
Scott passed away at home on Saturday, July 24th in the loving embrace of his family. And so departs a great man. As good of a father, grandfather, and friend as there ever was.
Beloved husband to the late Joyce (nee Armstrong -2006); loved father of Don (Pat), Chris (Art Couperus), Bill (Denise), Jay (Colleen), and Susan (Jamie Ritchie); also dearly missed by 14 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. Also survived by many cousins and good friends. Predeceased by his parents Jay & Eva and brother Donald.
Friends will be received at the Wm. KIPP FUNERAL HOME, 184 Grand River Street North, Paris on Thursday July 29, 2021 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM Friends need to RSVP through funeral home website for visitation. Due to Covid 19 Restrictions, Masks must be worn and social distancing maintained.
A family service will be held with interment Paris Cemetery.
Donations in Scott's memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society. RSVP, Online condolences and donations may be arranged through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting WM. KIPP 519 442 3061.
Peacefully, at his home on Saturday, July 24, 2021; of R. R. # 2 Paris, in his 92nd year.
Scott Wells, otherwise known as “Scotty Wells”, was born just outside of Paris, but he was always an Ayr boy. His parents, Jay and Eva Wells raised him on a farm located at the end of Keg Lane, then a quiet little community of farming families like the Buck’s, the Cochrane’s, Deans and McCorkindale’s. His mother, a devout Christian was keen to teach him right and wrong and his Father, always quick to laugh, would teach him to be mischievous and enjoy a simple country life. Scott , being a quick study, learned both lessons very well. His early years in school were spent at Keg Lane School and his high school years were spent at Paris District High School where he played basketball for the school team. Graduating in 1950, his mother’s heart was swollen with pride as he was awarded the Bernhardt Trophy for most outstanding male athlete, but she called it “ best boy award”.
It was in the 50’s that Scott’s athletic abilities came to the communities attention when he captained the Ayr Rockets Hockey team. Being 6’ tall, Scott was fast and agile and led the scoring for the team for many years. In the off season, he played ball with the Ayr Vets as a solid third baseman with a strong throwing arm and a line drive bat. Both the hockey team and the baseball team enjoyed All Ontario Championships during his time playing. It was his speed and ability that made him a worthy opponent, but it was his humility, sense of humour and contagious smile and laugh that made him a friend to all in and out of the game.
It was also in those early days of the 50’s that a certain young Ayr girl named Joyce Armstrong plucked up the courage to call him up and invite him to a Sadie Hawkins Dance. Thus began a long and beautiful partnership that lasted for 53 years, and longer.
Scott and Joyce married in 1953 and settled down to live at the farm. Together, they raised 5 children, Don, Chris, Bill, Jay and Susan.
Their home was open and hospitable to all and you never came to visit without a long chat and some sort of food being placed in front of you.
No one ever had car trouble in front of the farm that didn’t get help from Scott. When a California family had trouble with their motor home, Scott and Joyce put them up for two days till the parts for their motor home arrived. Scott made friends everywhere he went. Regardless of their station in life, he treated everyone the same. Every waitress, cab driver, CEO or GM he encountered all walked away thinking, what a nice man. His true gift was his ability to put people at ease and make you feel special.
Working with Scott on the farm would be a full day and hard work. Only once was he ever too sick to work when he contracted the mumps. Otherwise, he worked through broken bones, colds and flus like it was just another day. Despite the hard work, there was always time for a laugh and a big meal beside the pond which usually ended up with someone being thrown in.
The fabled Wells Pond at the farm was where Scott learned to first skate and play hockey and he also taught his children to play, having three talented sons who played hockey in Ayr and one that made it to the NHL in 1979 and played for 18 seasons. Scott was proud to be present for the game in New York in which his son Jay won the Stanley Cup in 1994 with the New York Rangers. But his pride did not stop there as he shared in the joy and excitement of each of his children’s and grandchildren’s accolades and accomplishments.
After farming for about 80 years, he finally had to give up field work. He couldn’t get in the tractor anymore despite his deep desire and sharp mind. He was resigned to supervising from the Gator at age 89, but he never retired from managing the operations of the farm. The farm was his pride and his children were his joy. His wife was his heart and his comfort and God his guiding light. He was not one to preach or pray out loud except at the dinner table, but instead he tried to instil in his family a moral compass of honesty, generosity and humility.
Scott was an only child, but he did not lack for family. Eventually, he would enjoy 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. To say that Scott was loved by his family would be a great understatement and at the time of his passing, the room could not contain all the family that wanted to be by his side. Witty to the very end, with a weakened voice, he would tease and joke with the people surrounding him and charm the nurses that came to help.
If you asked Scott, he didn’t feel he had anything special to offer, but if you asked anyone who had ever spent any time with him, they would tell you Scott was one of a kind…..rare and good.
Scott passed away at home on Saturday, July 24th in the loving embrace of his family. And so departs a great man. As good of a father, grandfather, and friend as there ever was.
Beloved husband to the late Joyce (nee Armstrong -2006); loved father of Don (Pat), Chris (Art Couperus), Bill (Denise), Jay (Colleen), and Susan (Jamie Ritchie); also dearly missed by 14 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. Also survived by many cousins and good friends. Predeceased by his parents Jay & Eva and brother Donald.
Friends will be received at the Wm. KIPP FUNERAL HOME, 184 Grand River Street North, Paris on Thursday July 29, 2021 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM Friends need to RSVP through funeral home website for visitation. Due to Covid 19 Restrictions, Masks must be worn and social distancing maintained.
A family service will be held with interment Paris Cemetery.
Donations in Scott's memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society. RSVP, Online condolences and donations may be arranged through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting WM. KIPP 519 442 3061.