Richard Scoffom
Richard Scoffom was born April 12, 1945, to Charles and Clarice Scoffom in Birmingham, England. The family moved to Darlington in 1957 where he completed high school. While attending high school he eagerly worked on the Sutton Farm, which is where he developed his passion for farming. Once he finished high school, he attended Durham County School of Agriculture where he graduated from a farm business management course, which was 2 years in class followed by 1 year practical where he worked on a sheep farm in Iceland. He met 2 of his life long best friends in college - Noel Downham and Ron Swinburne.
Richard moved to Ontario in 1966 and worked on a dairy farm for a year, after which he moved to Alberta and snowshoed through the bush working on survey crews. In 1970-71, Richard went to live and work in Antarctica as a weather observer and base commander where he met two more lifelong friends; Dick Bird and Brian Hill. On his way back to Canada, he got off the boat in the Falkland Islands then proceeded to backpack across South America alone. He returned to Ontario and bought a car to drive back to Alberta. In 1974-75 he bought land and lived in an old log house warmed only by a log burning fireplace (as per Noel’s recollection, the only time he ever felt warm in that house was when his fire lit the log pile!) where he originally farmed hay (let’s not mention the swather 😉). He met and married Ingrid Sabo in 1976 and together they farmed sheep and pigs. During their first year of marriage, he also worked in the Arctic as a radio operator. Richard lived on his farm with Ingrid and his 2 children, Valerie (born 1978) and Marcus (born 1979) until 1989. The family moved to Gibbons, Alberta and stayed until 1995 at which time Richard moved to Nanaimo, B.C. In B.C, Richard helped Dick and Marilyn in their restaurant, The Granary, then went on to haul fish. In 2015-16, Richard commuted to Alberta working in Oil and Gas as a gravel and shunt truck driver. In B.C, he lived on a boat for most of his years until he returned to Alberta in 2019 where he settled in Morley Young Manner, Lamont.
In June, 2022 Richard was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer and was told he had only months to live. He embraced every moment he had left, continuing to live life to its fullest each and every day until he passed away on September 7, 2022. In fact, the day before he was admitted to hospital, he and Lyle took the day to look at a Mercedes Benz convertible which he was intending to purchase as his last toy.
Richard will be remembered by many for his “wicked sense of humor and infectious laugh” (quote by niece, Melanie Moon). He was always full of life and joy, lighting up any room he walked into and the lives of those he loved. Many people said how they loved seeing his huge smile. He was very independent and loved filling his time with various interests that he developed over the years (played rugby, performed live theatre, love of British comedy, conducted church services, working on and off-roading Land Rovers, solving the worlds problems over drinks with friends, shooting guns at the range, riding motorcycles, taking long walks, watching Itchy Boots/Long Way Around, surfing the web researching the obsession of the day, to name but a few). Richard always had something interesting on the go and was not a man to sit around and let life pass him by. He savored and enjoyed every minute! He had so much love and joy to share and was the very best Son, Dad, Grandfather, Brother and Friend anyone could hope to have. Richard was social, loved people and was kind to everyone, but wouldn’t hesitate to stand up for others when injustice was occurring. As mentioned above, he made many lifelong friends – Noel and Barbara, Ron, Dick and Marilyn, Donna-Mae, Al, Des, Bryan, Sutton, Jean-Guy, Mike and Jean, Wilma, Sandy, Amanda and many more.
Richard will be missed and forever cherished by his children; Valerie Scoffom and Marcus (Kimberly) Scoffom, his grandchildren; Nevaeh, Mariah, Olivia and Briella, his sisters; Veronica (Paul) Lewis, Diana (Sandy) Muirhead, his brother; Andrew (Marie) Scoffom, nieces and nephews; Melanie (Ashley) Moon, Alexander (Amy) Smyth, Matthew (David) Smyth, Joanna (David) Lawrence, Euan (Julia) Muirhead, Allison Muirhead and Pierre Scoffom.
For anyone who would like to attend the memorial service, it will be held at the Alliance Church in Lamont, Alberta (5007 44 St.) at noon on Saturday, September 17th, 2022.
My sincere condolences to my children and grandchildren as well as the rest of Richard’s family and friends. Richard was loved and will be missed dearly by everyone who knew him. Even if one could not see Richard in a room, you were sure to hear his joking and laughter! Finally able to rest peacefully. God Bless!
Cheers from Ingrid
Thank you mom 🥰
Richard was never lacking in the sense of humour department. He might have met Queen Lizzie in the queue at the pearly gates and told her a joke or two!
Best wishes to all on this forum.
Cheers,
Andrew, Marie & Pierre
Thank you Uncle Andrew, Aunty Marie and Pierre. 🥰
To Richards family so very sorry for your great loss was an honour to have known him,Rest in peace dear Richard
Thank you Emily😊
Thankful to have had Richard as my brother for almost 74 years and for all the fun & laughter!
We admired his spirit of adventure, courage and appreciated his kindness.
Deepest condolences to you Valerie, Marcus, Ingrid and all the family from Diana, Sandy and family xxx
Thank you so much Aunty Diana and Uncle Sandy🥰
I was very fond of my Uncle Richard and greatly admired him for his independent spirit of adventure and courage and his sense of humour. Our families spent a few summers together in Canada (were I met the pigs!) and in Scotland. I also visited Richard on Vancouver Island when travelling in Canada during my university years. He lived his life fully and leaves behind him a wonderful daughter and son, to whom I send big hugs and kisses. Love also to Ingrid, who I also remember fondly from earlier days; Kimberley, and all the Scoffom girls. I hope to see you all in the not too distant future. Lots of love Joanna xxxx
Awe, thanks my cousin. You will definitely see us one day soon🥰
Richard was one of a kind and I was so very lucky to be his little sister. He was and will always be my amazing, wonderful, charming, funny and kind big brother. Like all of his family and friends I shall miss him so very much but every time I smile and laugh I’ll remember the twinkle in his eye and the love and laughter we always shared.
Paul and I send our sincere condolences to you Marcus and Valerie, you’re in our thoughts always. Your Dad, Richard, couldn’t have wished for a more loving and caring son and daughter. All our love to you both and to Kim, Nevaeh, Mariah, Olivia, Briella and Ingrid ❤️
From Veronica and Paul xx
We shall see you all again one day soon x
Awe, thank you so much Aunty V. How true, he did have a twinkle in his eyes, so full of joy. Those words capture him and his spirit so well.
I always loved when Uncle Richard came to visit. His quick wit, humour and infectious laugh made him such good company. I’ll also miss his thoughtfulness and generosity – I have already raised a glass to him in the whisky glasses he sent me completely out of the blue one year when he realised I didn’t have any. I also always admired and enjoyed hearing of his adventurous ways – a life well lived! Lots of love to Val, Marcus and your families at this time. When we think of your Dad it will always be with a smile. Euan xx
Oh wow, what a great story Euan. That was my Dad! The best gift giver ever. He really paid attention to what his loved ones spoke about and enjoyed giving meaningful gifts that would warm our hearts.
My dear Uncle Richard will always have a special place in my heart. Growing up in Canada with him, Auntie Ingrid, Valerie and Marcus are some of the best and most fond memories I have of my childhood. We also spent many Christmases in Scotland together which we have wonderful memories.
He will be greatly missed by us all. As my Mum Veronica said, he had a twinkle in his eye and his jokes and laughter will always keep me smiling.
I send my deepest condolences to my cousins, Valerie and Marcus. Also to Kim, Nevaeh, Mariah, Olivia and Briella and of course my Auntie Ingrid.
We will see you all soon. ❤️
Lots of love Melanie, Ashley, Scarlett & Gabriella xx
Awe, love you Melanie. Thank you. Yes, we will see you soon, that’s a promise.
His obituary says much and it was that “wicked sense of humor and infectious laugh” that I’m sure initiated the long-lasting friendship when we first met 53 years ago prior to us spending two years with the British Antarctic Survey. We were on different bases but we got to know each other well in the voyage south. At the end of our tour Richard returned to Canada and I back to Scotland. Shortly after that his parents and family moved to nearby Stirling and I met with them quite often. Some years later I emigrated to Canada and spent some months with him on his farm at Vilna. Shortly after that I moved to Calgary. We were both married about that time and with our young families we visited often. Employment eventually took me and my family to Newfoundland so further meetings were rare but always great fun when we did.
My heartfelt condolences to Marcus and Valerie and their families here in Canada, and also to his family in the UK whose friendship has also lasted through those many years. Rest in peace, Richard, and save a wee dram for me.
Thank you so much Brian.
Sincere condolences and kindest thoughts to all of Richard’s family, relatives and friends in their loss of a very special man. We, the Mace family, knew Richard in the time when he was at Houghall and he lived at our farm before going off to Iceland. The link was never broken thereafter….my partner Paul and I spent a memorable few hours with him on Vancouver Island in 2015 and have stayed in touch to the end.
Thank you so much Anne.
Driving East on Whitemud Drive another Land Rover approached me in the opposite direction. Imagine! Two 88 Series Land Rovers, both actually running, at the same time, on the same road!
Odds are about the same as winning the 6/49 lottery.
In my mirror I could see the other Land Rover pulling a U-turn to come after me.
That’s how I met Richard Scoffom, who subsequently became one of my best and valued friends for almost 40 years….. far more valuable than winning any lottery!
Al Sigurdson
Awe, that’s a great story Al. Thank you so much for sharing. I know how important your friendship was to my Dad. He spoke about you often and thought a lot of you as you know.