Arthur Leslie Scott (“Scotty”) passed away on July 22 in Danbury. Arthur was a man who knew how to live and kept on living for 100.98 years. He was a survivor.

He was born in Stamford on July 30, 1924, the year before The Great Gatsby was published and at a time when movies were silent. Like many children of the Jazz Era, Scotty suffered poverty during The Great Depression. During that time he was incapacitated by severe illness for months at a time, with only a radio to fill the hours; but what a time it was in radio! The radio introduced him to what would become two of his greatest passions, Sports and Big Band music. The lonely hours created in him a strong need for social contact.

As Scotty grew older, through the 1940s, he indulged his interests, playing baseball and basketball in Industrial Leagues around Stamford and dancing to Swing in the numerous dance halls of the era. He became acquainted with many bandleaders and musicians about whom his knowledge was encyclopedic. About that time, he became adept at handicapping horse races. In his parlance, he “played the trotters.” Even in his latter years, he could watch the “post parades” of any racing slate and pick a few winners. When asked how he did it, he would offer a tight-lipped grin and say “I just liked the way they looked.”

Even though the Yankees in the 40s and 50s were winning Worlds Series like a Tornado through Titletown, Scotty chose to suffer for decades with his beloved Boston Red Sox but saw more success with the Celtics. In 2004, he claimed it was worth the suffering.

Scotty worked in the 1950s at General Electric and later at Perkin Elmer in purchasing, at one point being responsible for the materials that comprised the first Lunar Lander. Then, romance entered the scene.

In 1968, Scotty met Marie Knakal with whom he lived in Norwalk until her death in 1984. In that same year he met Joan Wisnieff. They were married in 1990 and moved to Newtown. They spent their retirement travelling the world, dancing, attending Broadway shows, and singing in the choir at The First Church of Christ in Redding for 30 years. They supported a total of 27 cats, countless deer, birds and wild turkeys and a bear during that time. Arthur, you see, SURVIVED.

Mr Scott is survived by four stepchildren, two grandchildren, and a niece. Bouton Funeral Home will host private services for the family. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Wilton. To offer online condolences to his family please visit boutonfuneralhome.com.