Obituary of Eugene A. Scott

Eugene Arthur Scott died peacefully at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, N.Y. on January 18, 2021 at the age of 85 following a number of health challenges. Born in Holland Patent, N.Y. to Arthur Irving and Eunice Mae (Shahan) Scott, Gene was raised in Remsen, N.Y. and graduated from Remsen Central High School, where his father served as principal. In 1963, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College with departmental honors in mathematics. A six-year intermission between the sophomore and junior years included service at the U.S. Army Intelligence School at Fort Holabird in Baltimore and the Counter Intelligence Corps at Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska. In 1972, he received a Master of Science degree in educational psychology and statistics from the State University of New York at Albany. The next three decades were spent in biostatistics, research analysis, and information management with the New York State Department of Health and other agencies. A highlight was participating in the development of a data system for the evaluation of cardiac care outcomes. He and his wife Helen resided in Slingerlands for nearly 50 years before moving to Delmar. Gene enjoyed the final year of his life at Atria Delmar Place. A lifelong singer, Gene was a member of the Capitol Hill Choral Society (CHCS), the Masterworks Chorale at the College of Saint Rose, the Mendelssohn Club of Albany, the Burnt Hills Oratorio Society, Octavo Singers, and the Baldwin Alumni Reunion Choir at Hamilton College. High notes included singing with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra at the opening night of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, performing in a Lake George Opera Company production of Puccini’s Tosca, appearing with the Club at a choral festival held at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, and a trip to Ireland with Masterworks. For more than 35 years, Gene sang in the choir at the First United Methodist Church of Delmar under Danny Smith, Joseph Farrell and Kenneth Loiacono. Gene and Helen met through CHCS and continued their love of singing together in many of these groups. Gene’s other interests included reading, tennis, NYT crosswords, thoroughbred racing at Saratoga, community theater, poker and backgammon, and spending time in the Adirondacks. Gene was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Helen Rae (Farrell) Scott. He is survived by his daughters, Susan M. Scott of Rockville, Md. and Jennifer L. Scott of Alexandria, Va.; his brother, Stanley A. Scott (Dora Hast) of Middletown, Conn.; brother-in-law Charles R. Farrell (Marjorie) of North Eastham, Mass.; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. There will be no calling hours. Gene will be memorialized privately at a future date.