Geoffrey Scott Thompson

Sadly, we announce the passing of a beloved father, husband, brother, uncle and friend Geoffrey Scott Thompson, at the age of 64. Geoff passed away in the care of his family and in the comfort of his home. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017. Despite surgery, chemotherapy, and a “never give up” attitude, the disease progressed. In June 2019, treatment was stopped and in November 2019, Geoff entered outpatient palliative care. As if this was not enough, Geoff suffered a stroke in January of 2020, leaving his right side paralyzed and leaving him unable to communicate verbally. Despite everything he had suffered, Geoff continued to fight, cherishing every day he was still able to spend with his family.

Geoff leaves behind his loving wife Doris, his son Bret Milan Scott, his daughter Jenna Leigh and ever faithful pet Jake, sisters Kathy Dupuis (Donald), Janis Smith (Bradford), Aunt Dorothy Scott, Aunt June Brekke (Thompson) mother in-law Stanka Vodopivec, brothers in-law Dennis Dekleva (Doris), Joe Vodopivec (Kim) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. It is not an exaggeration when we say he also leaves behind hundreds of people of whose lives he’s touched.

Geoff was born to Robert Cecil Thompson and Shirley Elizabeth (Scott) on June 1, 1955. He was the first son and eldest of the three siblings. The family lived on St. Catharines Street, houses down from his paternal grandparents. Geoff started his education at Archwood School and then moved on to Glenwood School when the family moved to Harrowby Street. Geoff was involved in sports: he loved baseball and hockey from a very early age. Golf became an interest when he got a job at the Winnipeg Canoe Club. Geoff’s parents separated when he was 13 making him the “man of the house”. He took it upon himself to look out for the three women in his life. Geoff’s high school education was somewhat tumultuous. He (sometimes) attended Glenlawn Collegiate, before transferring to Nelson Mcintyre Collegiate. He eventually received his high school diploma through GED. He then went on to receive certificates in management and adult education while working at Manitoba Hydro.

Geoff worked for Manitoba Hydro for 40 years. He established himself in the power cable trade as a journeyman and later as a trainer of his trade. Geoff was well known and respected at Hydro. When he retired in 2014, Geoff moved on to work for Manitoba Hydro International as an underground consultant and spent 14 months in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He continued to do consulting until he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017.

He loved to pass on his knowledge, and if you showed any inclination to listen, he’d hold you hostage; whether this was on the job, coaching kids or working on projects with family. He did not tolerate B.S. from anyone on or off the job and definitely not on the ice or on the golf course. If something needed doing or someone asked for help he’d be there. If he didn’t know the answer, he’d google it. If that wasn’t enough, he always knew a guy who knew a guy. It seemed like no matter where Geoff went, he’d run into someone he knew, even while stopped at red lights.

Doris, Bret and Jenna were the core of his life, especially as his illness progressed. Bret was born in 1994 and Jenna in 1995. Geoff and Doris’ relationship progressed quickly and almost 27 years later the relationship grew in love, trust and honoring each other: faults and all. Throughout the marriage and child rearing, Geoff maintained a fairly active social life, (much to Doris’s dismay at times). Sport was the center of most of his social life. Golf became his main obsession as the years progressed. As the kids got older, Geoff was the catalyst that ignited the kids’ passion of sport. He coached both kids growing up. When he wasn’t coaching, he was at pretty much every game.

Even in this sadness, there is gratitude. We are so grateful that Geoff was able to pass at home. Trusting in God and His angels got us through this, as did the love and support of our family and friends. Thank you to our friends and family for also giving us the space and time we needed. Thank you for understanding when we didn’t return calls or texts. Thank you, Dr. James Paul. Unfortunately, when we saw you it was usually not great news- Geoff was in awe of how difficult it must be for you to give your patients diagnoses and prognoses in a truthful yet non-hope shattering way. We are truly thankful that you were his oncologist during his trying times. Further, thank you to Dr. Ogorenko and the most compassionate team of nurses and staff at the Victoria Hospital oncology unit. Thank you to the palliative care team for helping us ensure Geoff passed away peacefully at home. Our healthcare system is not perfect but there are so many wonderful caregivers striving to do their best in providing care. A heartfelt thankyou to all. And finally, thank you Father Phil for visiting us and providing comfort in Geoff’s final days.

Geoff will be cremated. We had planned to have a viewing where anyone interested could come and write a message on his casket. As this is not possible at this time, we will have a ceremony with a select few. The messages and letters we have received over the last few weeks were read to Geoff and will be placed in the casket alongside him. If anyone would like to add anything, please email us at [email protected]. A celebration of life will be held when we are allowed to gather in large numbers. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Cancer Care or a youth-sport initiative or a charity of choice.