Tribute

Scotty Mac Sobey passed away with his beloved wife Marie by his side on Sunday, January 10, 2021.  He was born at home on February 10, 1935 on Chaplin Island Road, New Brunswick to Henry and Annie Sobey, one of 14 children born to them.  Scotty was the 10^th child – nine girls and five boys with Scotty being the youngest boy.

Scotty was educated in a small community school on Chaplin Island Road and left school in Grade 8 to help out on the farm.  At the age of 16 in 1951, Scotty and two of his friends found work in Ontario.  Not too long after that, his two buddies headed home but Scotty persevered.   He kept heading west until he stopped at Chilliwack and worked several jobs in the area.  He joined the 115 Union in 1960 and worked on the pipeline.

Scotty met Irene Delawsky and they were married on March 2, 1956 in Chilliwack.  Their first child Jo-Anne was born in 1956 followed in 1959 by their son Randy.  In 1961, Scotty packed his family up and they headed to  Cranbrook where he continued to work for the 115 Union.  In 1971 he got a job working with Paul Robertson moving mobile homes.  Not long after, he decided to go out on his own and run his own mobile home moving company.  He moved mobile homes from as far away as Vancouver to Manitoba.  Scotty always said he wasn’t home much but he had to keep bringing in the money just to survive.  There were times he was lucky to get three or four hours sleep before he was off to the next job.  Scotty lost the love of his life, Irene in 1973 from her health battle.  With two children still at home, he continued moving mobile homes with his son Randy working with him for a few years before his move to Calgary.

In Scotty’s younger years, he didn’t have a problem getting free rounds of beer in the hotels in Cranbrook.  He would bet each person coming in that he could kick the top of the door frame with both feet.  Yup – here comes the free beer!!  Don and Gary Johnson always visited and gave Scotty a hard time . . . but he enjoyed this.  It’s what kept him going these last few months.  Don would tease Scotty that every dance that was held at Wardner, Scotty would show up two hours late.  Scotty would say he never knew where these guys came up with their stories, but he’d sit and laugh about it.  He enjoyed those coffee times with his friends very much.

Scotty met his second greatest love, Marie in 1997.  They were married on December 24, 1998 in Moncton, New Brunswick at his sister’s home.  Marie worked alongside Scotty moving mobile homes until September of 2003 when Arthritis showed up and Scotty had to stop working.  It took Scotty a long time to comprehend that this was it for his work.  He continued to do repairs on vehicles and tinkering around the yard.  In 2008 Scotty was diagnosed with severe heart disease and then in 2018 with COPD – they could do nothing to help either ailment.  With his bad heart, he wanted so badly to go back home – his Homestead he would say.  He never did make it back but made sure to keep in touch with his sisters and would call them now and then.

Scotty was a very kind, warm and loving man and never wanted anyone unhappy.  His nephews back East would always say Scotty Mac was a true Sobey.  Up until about the last six months, Scotty enjoyed having coffee and a little gossip with his friends at Dairy Queen and McDonald’s.  Marie cared for him dearly and she thought of him as her prince and stayed by his side as he passed.  Scotty always enjoyed visits from his son and family from Calgary.  Unfortunately, COVID has stopped those visits.  He also enjoyed Leo taking him out hunting.  It didn’t matter if they got anything – it was all about being out and enjoying the day.  Those two always managed to bring home some meat anyway.  Two songs that make me think of Scotty are “Country Roads” and “My Maria”.  We loved those songs.  Scotty loved rodeos, Vancouver Canucks and his buddy Bailey!  He will be missed!!

Scotty loved and cherished his children and grandchildren.  Leo and Autumn were around Scotty so much in the last 15 years as Marie babysat them from birth.  Scotty loved when they were around and it just made his day.  Having them around brought back many fond memories of his youth.  Scotty often talked of his older sisters having fun playing with him and curling his hair when he was a young lad.   Marie loved to sit and listen to him reminisce about his younger years and all the memories.

Scotty’s beloved daughter Jo-Anne passed away in 2018 and after that he seemed to decline.  She was a wonderful lady and he missed her a lot.  Scotty always thought of her as his little Highland Dancer as she enjoyed dancing for a few years.  He really wanted to go see his son Randy in Calgary but health and VOVID  wouldn’t allow it.  Scotty’s stepson Leo had many obstacles to overcome in his life and this bothered Scotty a lot.  Scotty was so happy and at peace when Leo found a loving and beautiful lady, Jen.  They married in November 2020.  This made Scotty very content and happy.

Scotty leaves to mourn his passing his beloved wife Marie, son Randy (Claudia) Sobey, stepson Leo (Jen) Gauthier and his little buddy Bailey. Scotty also leaves his son-in-law Bob Strookow in Cranbrook as well as his grandchildren; Shane Sobey, Heather (Brandon) Dominick, Brandi (Justin) Golebeski, Leo Gauthier, Autumn Gauthier and Stephanie (Chris) Keitch as well as great grandchildren; Blake Dominick, Corbin Golebeski, Maddison and Emily Keitch.  He also leaves his three sisters; Elva Arbeau, Betty-Lou Coffey and Winnie (Tom) King.  Scotty has many nieces and nephews in New Brunswick and across Canada as well as his many friends that he met throughout his life who survive him.

Scotty will be laid to rest beside his mother and father and the rest of his siblings in New Castle, New Brunswick.  A Celebration of Life will be held for Scotty at a later date when allowed.

This will forever be my song to you Scotty – “Everything I do, I do it for you!”

Marie