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Scott William Sutherland
July 7, 1955 - July 24, 2025
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Scott William Sutherland, a retired communications professional and broadcast journalist, died on July 24 at Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island after a valiant battle with cancer. Born in Montreal in 1955, he was the son of the late Michael and Mary Sutherland. Scott was a devoted family man, a person of boundless energy and intellectual curiousity, and a true Renaissance man. He spent his early years in St. Bruno de Montarville, Quebec, and had his early schooling there, before moving to Toronto with his family in his teens. He attended Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute in Toronto and later attended both Trent and Waterloo Universities. Scott spent three decades as a journalist, working for radio stations in the Toronto area before joining the Canadian Press. He relocated to the west coast, first to Vancouver in 1990, then Victoria in 1994, where he was a political correspondent at the BC legislature, and where he served as the President of the Press Gallery for 7 years. In 2008, Scott left journalism to work in government communications, occupying senior positions in several different ministries. He retired in 2015.
A keen traveller, Scott’s interests ranged from sailing and boatbuilding to music and literature, history, art and architecture, fine woodwork and antiques, good food, and spirited conversation. He was happiest when he was on or near the water. He seemed to be able to make a connection with anyone he met in all walks of life. Scott was also an enthusiastic volunteer, devoting hundreds of hours to Alcoholics Anonymous, the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Cowichan Bay Wooden Boat Society. He was a passionate advocate for sobriety, supporting and mentoring many people during his nearly four decades with AA.
Scott is survived by his first wife, Susie Buckley, the mother of his two children, Bronwyn Stocks of Salt Spring Island and Barthelemy (Barto) Sutherland of Cobble Hill, his second wife, Marcia McNeil of Victoria, his partner, Suellen Cameron of Kennebunkport, Maine, his two siblings, Victoria Sutherland of Picton, Ontario and Barthelemy (Bart) Sutherland of Victoria, BC, four grandchildren, Jacob Stocks, Benjamin Stocks, Macsen Sutherland, and Heidi Sutherland, and one great grandchild, Sydney Jason-Stocks, as well as his sisters-in-law Lori and Torunn, his son-in-law Jamin, daughter-in-law Ciara, Jacob’s partner Emma, Ben’s partner McKenna and numerous extended family members.
In Scott’s own words, “I’ve had a great life.”
There will be a memorial service/celebration of life in November, with details to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the BC Cancer Foundation, the Victoria Marine Rescue Society or your local recovery centre.
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From: Haywards Funerals
Haywards Funerals staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Andy Reljic
Relation: A dear friend
It is with deep sadness, we say goodbye to our dear friend Scott, who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Scott was a man of many gifts and even greater depth. Curious and adventurous by nature, he brought a lively spark to every conversation and every journey. His sharp wit and infectious sense of humor lit up rooms and hearts alike.
A brilliant writer, Scott, dedicated much of his life to storytelling and public service. He worked with distinction for the Associated Press, Broadcast News/The Canadian Press, and later for the B.C. provincial government in the education department. His words informed, inspired, and often challenged, but always came from a place of honesty, compassion, and clarity.
Scott was both a man of the sea and a man of the soul: a master mariner and devoted steward of his beloved trawler, Scotia Blue. A skilled woodworker and artisan, he found joy and meaning in the careful restoration of vessels and in crafting beauty with his hands. His love for music was boundless. In the last couple of years, he taught himself to play the ukulele. A devout Deadhead, he found connection and transcendence in song, always chasing the next perfect note or lyric.
Above all, Scott was a loving partner, friend, father and grandfather. He gave of himself fully; his wisdom, his kindness, and his unwavering support were constant to those lucky enough to know him. Scott leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, craftsmanship, and deep connection. His spirit lives on in the stories he told, the lives he touched, and the waters he sailed. He taught us not only how to live with curiosity, but how to love with grace.
A friend of Bill W., Scott supported many through the trials of addiction. He was also a quiet anchor for many in the recovery community and a pivotal member of Tuesday Night Esquimalt AA. Just days after gall bladder surgery, Scott boarded a floatplane from Salt Spring Island to Vancouver to attend the 2025 International AA Convention in Vancouver BC 3 – 6 July. Though too weak to attend events or reunite with friends, he made it there, an enduring testament to his devotion to AA and its loving community.
He would say “in order to keep it we have to give it away”. Steadfast in his loyalty, generous with his time, and always willing to walk beside those on a journey of healing. He achieved 14,125 days of sobriety: one day at a time. He was fond of saying that getting sober was the best thing he had ever done and didn’t regret it for a nano second. I was privileged to have Scott as my sponsor, mentor, and friend for fifteen years. Rest well, dear friend. You are deeply missed and forever remembered.
From: Judy Turner
Relation: We have mutual friend
Jbturner3@shaw.ca
From: Teresa Thom
Relation: A music friend.
I enjoyed very much Scott and all his stories about many topics while in his company at our Esquimalt ukulele group. He knew many facts about songs we played and always had a bit of music trivia to share. His dog Blue who we all got to meet came in to see us during our break time, he loved his Blue! Scott did also have a lovely singing voice and thoroughly enjoyed himself at our strums. He will be missed by all of our group,,may he Rest in Peace.
From: Steve Fairbairn
Relation: Coworker
My deepest condolences to Scott’s family. I worked with Scott in the 90s when we were both legislative reporters for Broadcast News. Even though he was in Victoria and I was in Fredericton we had a fair amount of interaction and worked on more than one story together. I learned a lot from him and he was an extremely talented, nice and down to earth person. We also shared a love of the sea and ships and boats. I am greatly saddened by his passing.
From: Simon Dingley
Relation: Former co-worker
I worked with Scott at CKO All-News radio in Toronto more than 40 years ago. He had a good sense of humour. Unfortunately I never saw him again after I left CKO. But I was aware of his success in Western Canada. RIP Scott.
From: Katherine Walker
Relation: Neighbours
We send our condolences to Scott’s family and all those friends and colleagues who will miss him dearly. My husband and I always enjoyed the engaging conversations we had with Scott and often couldn’t get very far on our neighbourhood walks because we’d stop for a quick hello only to stay an hour or more. Scott seemed to enjoy the small pleasures in life and let the burdens of the world roll off his shoulders. He’d drive down the street in his convertible with a smile and a wave, always enthusiastic about life.
Katherine Walker and Tom Benson
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
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