THE HONOURABLE WALTER SCOTT WRIGHT

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THE HONOURABLE WALTER SCOTT WRIGHT

July 9, 1930, Winnipeg - February 27, 2024, Ottawa

Scott Wright - family man, jurist, volunteer, loyal friend, driver of the flying carpool, general enthusiast and dispenser of free advice - passed away after 93 years of a life well lived.

Scott is survived by his wife, Sonya, and his children, Elizabeth (Rob), Ashley (Jeff), and Alexandra (Peter); his daughter-in-law Lynne Arnason, his ten grandchildren, Kirk (Morgan), Thomas, Noah (Christine), Islay (Ben), Asher (Mary), Sam (Merle), Melinda (Reid), Antonia (Simon), Ted, and Fraser (Christina); and one great-grandchild, Annabel. He also leaves behind many friends and close relatives, including Dilly Burns in Winnipeg, Roy Drewett in Ottawa, and numerous other nephews and nieces and their partners. Scott was predeceased by his parents, Kirk and Tom Wright; his sister, Linda Tallin; and his son, Campbell, who passed away in 2005.

Despite the turbulence of the 1930s and 1940s, Scott's childhood was full of adventure, love and a sense of belonging, largely because of his three-generational home. He made lifelong friends in his early school years in River Heights. Scott studied Arts and Law at the University of Manitoba, where he served as UMSU president. He began his professional life as a crown prosecutor, followed by private practice with Richardson and Co. Following his appointment to the bench, he served as a Justice of the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench (as it then was) for 32 years.

Scott fell in love with Sonya Campbell during a Liberal Party convention in 1954 in Ottawa. Their 1956 marriage marked the beginning of a happy union that included travel, raising children, political campaigns, relaxing at the cottage or the farm, hosting students from all over the world, and opening their beautiful home to dinners, fundraisers, and Christmas carol sing-a-longs for decades. Scott and Sonya were an inseparable, dynamic duo for 70 years.

Scott was socially and culturally progressive, with an unwavering belief that community engagement and contributions could help make the world a better place. He demonstrated this through his devotion to a wide array of causes, including affordable housing in Winnipeg, Westminster United Church, the YMCA, and the Chinese Cultural Centre, to name just a few. Scott was genuinely curious about everything and everyone, and a keen follower of world events and news. He displayed an infinite capacity for engaging in conversation and reading; he loved tennis, his monthly discussion groups, and working on building projects.

Scott's friends, colleagues and family knew him to be genuine, trustworthy, tolerant, and above all generous. These qualities, along with his sense of humour, absent-mindedness, and more than a few near misses complemented his undeniable charm.

Scott was happiest at the lake or the farm, surrounded by family, making trails through the woods or whistling while gazing at the vistas, hands in pockets. He brought so much joy and laughter to those who had the privilege of knowing him, and we will miss him dearly. The family would like to thank all those involved in ensuring Scott's comfort, including Rica Rioja from Winnipeg.

A celebration of Scott's life will be held in Manitoba this summer. Communication may be sent to wrightscott81@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 02, 2024, Mar 02, 2024