John Alexander Scott, long-time resident of Chatham, MA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at age 79.

Ian was born to Irish immigrants John and Evelyn (Hughes) Scott in New York City on December 19, 1941. He grew up in the Rego Park neighborhood of Queens, as well as in Dublin, Ireland. Ian changed his legal name to John as a teenager. He graduated Xavier High School in Manhattan in 1960. He began studying at Fairfield University before transferring to and graduating from St. John’s University in January 1966.

He married Anne Margaret Leonard in 1966, his spouse for 45 years. John and Anne welcomed three children in less than three years. While they lived in New York, then England, New Jersey, and New Hampshire, they spent time every summer in Chatham.

John began his professional career as a trust officer at Manufacturer Hanover’s Trust, but rotated soon afterward into Human Resources at a number of companies, including Sperry, International Paper, and Gillette. He particularly enjoyed the associated travel to Spain, Japan, and elsewhere.

John and Anne moved to Chatham full time in the 1990s. They were active members of the Great Hill Neighborhood Association. John switched careers, working at Sylvan Realty and then Wm. Raveis Real Estate.

Before Anne passed away in 2012, they had created many memories together, including traveling to several U.S. states as well as Aruba, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Mexico, Italy, Greece, and most of northwestern Europe. Aside from family, John’s loves were trivia night, watching sports, playing the keyboard, annoying Anne, puttering in the garden, hanging out with his pooch Sierra, holidays, sushi, any sweets (but especially chocolate chip cookies!), and driving around neighborhoods looking at real estate.

John retired in 2017. He moved to The Residence at Silver Square in Dover, NH in October 2018, soon after being diagnosed with vascular dementia. He was welcomed kindly by the staff and neighbors there, and stayed for the cookies and bingo.

John is survived by his son Kenneth and partner Carla; his daughter Liz and her children and Papa John’s grandchildren Aidan and Jaelin; his daughter Jacqueline; his nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews; his cousins; friends; neighbors; and former colleagues.

Donations in his memory are appreciated and can be made to the Chatham Children’s Fund c/o Monomoy Community Services, 166 Depot Road, Chatham, MA 02633.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services will be private.

Can't say John and I were close, but we did co-operate on a couple of real estate transactions before I moved to AZ. Good man, say I. Problem with me is I usually learn more from obits of those that pass than when they were "more available" - boo on me. An accomplished man with successful career(s) with various employment opportunities. Condolences to family and friends and smooth sailing for John where ever ya be.

Kenneth, Liz, Jacqueline, I’m so sorry to learn of the death of your Dad. The last time I saw him was in his house in Cape Cod, circa 2003, when we had a lovely dinner together. We corresponded every Christmas until the last two years when I guess he was unable to do so. I remember happy times going to school in Belvedere College in Dublin when he was my older and wiser cousin and then our visits to Cobham when you lived in London. Our sincere condolences and we hope we might share in the funeral service if it has not already taken place. Our sincere condolences, Niall & Maeve Pelly

Extending my sincere sympathy. I have great memories of fun times on Great Hill with Mom and Dad as well as tap-dancing and chatting with Mom. So sorry for your loss. Special thanks for remembering the Chatham Children's Fund - Dad has supported our efforts annually. Keep your fun memories close - they will get your through!