John ‘David’ Scragg 87 years of age of Collingwood, ON passed away on Tuesday January 28, 2025 in Collingwood General and Marine Hospital.
David is survived by his daughter Denise (Andrew) of Collingwood. Grandsons Matthew (Michelle) of California and Cole (Montana) Orangeville, ON. Nephews & Nieces Mark, Simon, Andrew, Ann and Jane living in various locations in England.
David is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth ‘Anne’, parents John and Muriel Scragg and sisters Ruth Blanche and Shelia Patterson.
David was born in Crosby, Liverpool, England to John and Muriel Scragg on May 22, 1937.
David attended Merchant Taylor School for Boys in Crosby, England until approx. 1956 when he was called for Naval General Service where he served on various ships including HMS Victory, HMS Ocean and finally HMS Eagle, the largest naval carrier with over 2500 crew, which toured the Mediterranean in a successful Operation ‘Musketeer’, an invasion in the Suez.
After David’s naval tour, a former teacher suggested that the insurance industry might be an appropriate milieu for him.
David joined the London Assurance company in Manchester England.
After working for four years saving his pounds and shillings, on September 2, 1962 David married the love of his life, since he was 17 years old, Elizabeth Anne Rimmer. They settled in Raleigh Cheshire where their daughter Anne ‘Denise’ was born, an only child to them both.
Now needing to support a growing family David left London Assurance and for a brief period tried his hand as a salesman for an up and coming photocopier business with Reno Machines.
After a fruitless day of sales calls on a cold and rainy day in July, Anne poured David a cup of tea by the fire where they schemed about starting a life overseas. David suggested Australia but Anne thought it was a bit too far away and they finally agreed on Canada.
The next day David went to the ‘Canada House’ in Liverpool to be welcomed by the newly designed Canadian flag in 1965 he was interviewed and granted an immigration status.
On October 28, 1965 David set sail across the Atlantic Sea on the ‘Carinthia’ with $98.00 CND in his pocket, 8 tea chests, two suitcases and a set of golf clubs.
He arrived in Montreal as a landed immigrant and was to find a job before sending for Anne and Denise from England to Canada in December 1965.
December 1965 David settled in Willowdale (North York) Toronto where he secured a job with the Guardian Union Group as an Auto Underwriter in 1966. He had various promotions which afforded them moves to Hamilton, living in Ancaster, and then back to Toronto where they mutually agreed to settle in Oakville in the quaint neighbourhood of Brontë close to Lake Ontario.
In 1976 David was offered a Registrar position at the Insurance Institute of Canada where he worked for 25 years as VP Registrar.
David brought record keeping into the computer age in order to accommodate the 20,000 students and over 30,000 members of the Insurance Institute of Canada at that time. David was proud to say that that he computerized the system ahead of schedule and below budget
David and Anne resided in Oakville for almost 30 years. Enjoying a relatively easy commute to work between Hamilton and Toronto, Oakville had proven to be an ideal location to raise their family and host many extended family members and friends from the UK.
Also, a great place to enjoy sailing their Catalina 27 from Brontë Harbour which they set sail on many adventures across Lake Ontario.
In 1997 Anne & David retired to a lakeside town, called Belwood outside of Fergus, Ontario in an adult living community called Pine Meadows.
Retirement was also enjoyed at a newly purchased cottage on Lake Belwood were they both watched their grandson’s flourish for over 20 years.
During this time Anne and David travelled around the world with Holland America Cruise Lines, road trips on their 32ft motorhome touring Canada and the US,
and enjoying a life involving golf, tennis, crafts, choir and charity drives in Pine Meadows.
The final leg of their journey in 2021 was moving to Collingwood Ontario to be close to Denise where she could offer care and support while they resided at Bay Haven Care Community.
David was a man of many talents and enjoyed many activities.
As a young school boy, he served as an altar boy, sang in the choir, performed in a theatrical production of Camelot.
Later in life David purchased a Baby Grand piano where he honed his love of classical music and song. David loved photography, sailing, tennis and had a special fondness for dogs particularly from the Humane Society.
David loved to BBQ while enjoying a Gin Martini as well as a gourmet Roast Beef meal every Sunday with all the trimmings.
Denise and family can never sufficiently thank ALL the staff at Bay Haven Care Community in Collingwood for their wonderful and gentle care of David until he was transferred to Collingwood General Marine Hospital where he was well cared for by the amazing Emergency & Palliative team.
A private family burial will precede the Funeral Memorial Mass on Wednesday February 12th at 1pm at St. Joseph Parish, 760 St. David Street North, Fergus.
Light Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Cancer Society or Collingwood General and Marine Hospital or Georgian Triangle Hospice would be appreciated.