Dr E. John Scales

Former Chief of Professional Service And Superintendent For Fairfield Hills Hospital

E. John Scales, MD, 79, of Heritage Crest, Southbury, died September 12 at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband of Cecilia E. Scales.

Dr Scales was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, May 7, 1929, son of Eric W. Scales, CBE, and Dorothy M. (Thrift) Scales. He graduated in 1953 from Trinity College’s School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland. He joined the British Navy and served as surgeon lieutenant from 1956 to 60. He was an active duty surgeon during the Suez crisis.

He began a family practice in Alberta, Canada, from 1960 to 1964. He later moved to Newtown and began his psychiatric residency at Fairfield Hills Hospital. He served his postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University, New Haven, from 1966 to 1967 and was board certified in psychiatry in 1967. He served as chief of professional services at Fairfield Hills Hospital from 1970 to 1981 and was superintendent of Fairfield Hills Hospital from 1981 until 1986. Dr Scales retired from psychiatry in 1990. After his retirement, he and his wife moved to Southbury.

He was a devoted husband and dear friend who loved his children, grandchildren, and family in England and Ireland. An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of Ridgewood Country Club in Danbury and enjoyed playing at the Heritage Village golf course. He loved his Irish breakfasts.

Besides his wife of 55 years, he leaves two sons, Geoffrey L. Scales of Cobalt and Simon W. Scales and his wife, Kathy, of Collierville, Tenn., two grandsons, Patrick and Michael; and one sister, Joan Scales of Cheltenham, England.

A funeral Mass was held September 16 at Sacred Heart Church, Southbury. Burial was private.

Arrangements were by Carpino Funeral Home, Southbury.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The Newtown Bee       September 19, 2008