Scott Bowman, a Bella Coola valley resident for the past eight years, passed away at Vancouver General Hospital, with his brothers at his side, on Friday, January 10th. Although he's is no longer here, he leaves with me and others who knew him, a legacy of great memories. He was a loyal friend, a fine musician, a trusted confidant and an easygoing, uncomplicated guy.
Scott was born in Toronto on November 12th, 1955, to Charles and Alta Bowman. He was the youngest (by a ten year margin) of four kids, having been preceded by Jim, Judy and Larry. I didn't know him then, but by all accounts, Scott had a regular kind of childhood in a happy home.
My memories start in our teenage years; at huge concerts, working side-by-side in 30 below zero temperatures (stacking popsicles at an ice cream factory), throwing frisbees, cruising, spending wild weekends in northern Ontario, playing music and driving delivery trucks for 7-UP. Camping at Mossport Speedway and watching the Formula One races was one of Scott's favourite weekends of the year. He loved speed. I've never seen anyone drive a Honda 750 on 8 lanes of freeway in Toronto (during rush hour), like Scott Bowman. My Volkswagen Beetle could never hope to keep up.
We were young and (we thought) indestructible. Throughout the years, we often joked about how one of us would suffer some injury or broken bone, and the other would drive to the hospital. There were far too many instances over the years to recount, but it was usually Scott doing the driving.
We moved out west in 1975 and went to work as truck drivers for Coca-Cola in Prince George. Those were carefree years. Scott had a good job, drove a silver 1967 Corvette and was (for a short time) Prince George's most eligible young bachelor. By and by, Scott married Roxanne and they built a beautiful home. After a few years, Scott and Roxanne parted as friends and we found ourselves re-united and "on the loose". Years later, we often reminisced about our muscle cars, loud stereos, softball teams, and great times we spent with the Coca-Cola gang, and my brother Steve and his young family.
By now it was the late eighties. Scott moved to Bella Coola (for the first time) and worked at the Bay Hotel. He was an excellent bartender, possessing all the essential traits, a great sense of humour, a gift for listening, and the patience of a saint. We continued to enjoy each others company, spending many hours playing music, pool or computer golf and laying on the hotel roof in the summer…stargazing and telling stories.
In 1995, after two years on Vancouver Island and a romance with Leslie Varley, Scott once again moved to Bella Coola and went to work for the Co-Op Hardware store. This time, he decided to plant some roots and he bought a place of his own. Although Scott was a city-boy, he enjoyed the easy pace and friendliness of Bella Coola. We bought motorcycles and explored the far reaches of the valleys' logging roads, followed inevitably by more trips to the hospital emergency ward. (Scott was an excellent motorcyclist, but he occasionally had to stop and scrape me off the hillside.)
Scott loved to laugh. He'd drop by and recount a recent episode of a TV sitcom or Saturday Night Live, enjoying the laughs for a second time himself. He liked to see the rest of us laughing too. He would tape the best of stand up comedy routines on TV and then replay them when friends dropped by. He also did some entertaining himself, with spontaneous magic demonstrations, great classic songs on guitar, or a few jokes. I will really miss his sharp wit and great sense of humour.
Our 32 year friendship is a gift I will treasure. Through the years we were co-workers, best buddies and roommates, spending our spare time with guitars, family and friends, from one side of the country to the other. Scott was rarely far away, but even when he was, it didn't seem like it because he was always there for me. Eventually he became a real brother and Godfather to my son, Cameron. Both literally and figuratively, Scott was my best man. I'm proud to say I was also his.
Thanks to Scott's brother Jim for being so helpful and to Suzanne and our kids for their loving support.
And lastly, thank you Scott, for the times you saved the day and the times you saved my life. I'll always regret that I couldn't do more of the same for you.
Your friend always,
Brian