Family, baseball, poetry and art among the themes for Feb. 2 event at senior living community
EASTON, Maryland – A classic renaissance man. Educator. Veteran. An artist, a poet and former college baseball player.
Those are among the many descriptions of Dr. John C. “Jack” Scott Jr., who will add the title centenarian to the list. Dr. Scott’s 100th birthday will be celebrated on Feb. 2 at Candle Light Cove senior living community in Easton.
A color guard with the local VFW will attend the party, which begins at 2 p.m. Dr. Scott will receive citations from Maryland State Senator Adelaine Eckardt; Maryland State Delegate Johnny Mautz; and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. Local dignitaries also are expected to attend.
“He is one of the most positive people I have ever met,” said Cissy Nickel, Executive Director of Candle Light Cove, located at 106 West Earle Avenue. “There is never a time when I ask him how he’s doing that his response isn’t, ‘Spectacular,’ or, ‘Wonderful.’ He loves baseball. He writes Haiku poetry. He continues to paint and write poetry.”
John C. “Jack” Scott Jr. was born Feb. 2, 1918 in Bennington, Vermont. He was a captain of the baseball team at Springfield College in Massachusetts in 1940 and 1941. Scott served as a captain in the U.S. Army and eventually returned to academics, earning a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Chicago.
“He did research and taught at the University of Kansas and the University of Oregon for short times and eventually had a full-time position at American University in the department of sociology,” said John C. Scott III of his father.
“Our family moved to Washington, D.C. During that time, he was also chairman of the department of sociology and associate dean for the college in Arts and Sciences,” the younger Scott continued. “Before he retired, he went to the National Science Foundation and was head of the sociology and social psychology departments. His focus throughout his career was race and culture contact.”
Baseball was among Dr. John Scott’s favorite pastimes, and the sport will have a prominent theme during the 100th birthday event. The Baltimore Orioles and the major league team’s Class A affiliate, the Delmarva Shorebirds, will provide well-wishes, Nickel said. Springfield College sent a vintage team photograph from Scott’s playing days as a first baseman.
Dr. John Scott Jr.’s sister Kay Harrington is expected to make the trip from Texas to be part of the 100th birthday celebration.
“He is modest in many ways and birthdays were never anything that he paid particular attention to,” John Scott III said of his father. “Given that, he seems to be impressed that he’s made it to 100. He’s looking forward to it, seeing family and friends around.”
In addition to his son and daughter-in-law Susanne, Dr. Scott has three grandchildren – Jennifer, Kaitlyn and Emily — and three great grandchildren – Liam, Ryan and Aidan Sullivan.
Dr. Scott’s late wife, Carol, died when son John was only 6 years old. Dr. Scott’s second wife, Betty Anne, died eight years ago.
“We want to make this a special day for a very special member of our Candle Light Cove family,” Nickel said.
For more information, contact Cissy Nickel, Executive Director, Candle Light Cove, at cnickel@integracare.com or 410.770.9707.