John Gregory Scott's Obituary
John Gregory Scott
(February 27, 1947 - December 25, 2017)
John Gregory Scott left us Christmas Day 2017. He is survived by his loving spouse of 26 years, Barry Dunkin, their canine companion Cassidy, and a world of bereaved friends. Greg’s final wish was to leave hospice and die at home amidst the warmth and magic of the season. For one week, he welcomed friends with hugs, a loving smile and a gentle wisdom. Greg’s departure reflected his long-held philosophy of intentional, joyful celebration of life.
Born in Norristown, PA to Robert and Margaret (Rittenhouse) Scott, Greg was the great-great grandson of Winfield Scott, a distinguished American military leader. A resident of Lewes, DE in recent years, Greg grew up in Philadelphia but, for most of his life, resided in Baltimore, MD. He was a 1970 graduate of the Maryland Institute, College of Art (MICA), training which prepared him for his life career in advertising, marketing and design. During the 1980s and 90s, he held an executive positions with London Fog. Under his leadership as marketing director, London Fog gained recognition as the third most recognized brand in the world.
John Gregory Scott’s rollicking memoir about his career, London Fog: A Memoir of Raincoats and AIDS, will be published in 2018. The book provides a humorous look at the trends and changing technologies of an era and how his high-fashion/adventure photo shoots in life-threatening situations--ranging from calving glaciers to forest fires--made raincoats sexy; his tender relationships with celebrity spokespersons, actress Stephanie Powers and Olympian Bruce (aka, Kaitlin) Jenner; and how, at the height of the AIDS epidemic, he used his diagnosis of HIV to push his creativity and his commitment to live his life to its fullest.
Greg’s penchant for creative campaigns flowed into his private life. It was not uncommon for him to create “home movies” as gifts for friends. All his productions captured his love of music and a sense of humor and irony. One video, “Girls at the Beach,” depicted his dog and a friend’s dog wearing sunglasses and looking out at the water. On Barry’s 50th birthday, Greg surprised him with a West Wing themed party that included a limo (used by Lyndon Baines Johnson): Barry’s birthday dinner with his mother was interrupted by the Secret Service (actors) and the two were swept away in the limousine and taken to a glorious surprise party. (The theme honored Barry’s real-life role in the TV show “West Wing.”)
Greg was a “people magnet and always had a positive view of life,” said Candy Hammer his friend of 45 years. In 1985, when he was diagnosed HIV-positive and told to get his affairs in order, he did the opposite. Within hours he was leading a crew of freelance photographers, stylists, and models on a photo shoot into the wilds of Alaska. Ms. Hammer further shared Greg’s remarkable response after a diagnosis of bone cancer. He’d been told he had a 20% chance of survival and said, “Wow, not so bad. I have a one in five chance of making it. I can do it!” And he did.
Greg’s optimism was contagious and his love for life and friends sustained him during many years of challenging health issues. Not once did he complain. His friend Jackie Tatham shared how they drove in Greg’s sports car to Cape Henlopen Park one January day and got a flat tire. Out of nowhere, park rangers appeared and fixed the tire; Greg and Jackie proceeded to the beach for lunch. Heather Block remembers cruising the Canal de Midi in southern France where they passed through 65 locks over the course of ten days, with Greg as Captain. Three months after a stroke in 2014, Greg and Barry ventured on a two-week Baltic Sea Cruise. Their last sea voyage in May 2016, had them crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary; and, then, despite Greg’s need for a walker and wheelchair, they visited Prague.
Ten days prior to his death, Greg texted friends to remind them to “take care of Barry.” Greg had completed his Christmas shopping, and gifts were wrapped and under the tree, thanks to the help of dear friends. This final “production” was like Greg’s life: spontaneous, engaging, and full of compassion for those lucky enough to be with him.
Greg was predeceased by his parents and his brother. He is survived by his adoring spouse, Barry Dunkin; his niece, Michelle Burns; and family and friends. A special thank you goes to his lifelong friends Candy Hammer, Jackie and Bill Tatham, Angie Heon and Heather Block for their care and love. Their attention to him made his legacy of love and dignity possible. Thank you to the staff of the Griswold Home Care and Delaware Hospice for their loving care and service.
St. John of the Cross wrote that in the evening of life we are judged only on love. And so goes our dear John Gregory Scott.
A Celebration of Greg’s life will be held Sunday, April 15, 2018, at 12:00PM, at the Lewes Yacht Club. For additional details and to RSVP by, April 10, please email [email protected]
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to one of the following charities: The Foundation for AIDS research, 1100 Vermont Ave, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005 (www.amfar.org/donate), The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 (www.michaeljfox.org), or Lewes Canalfront Park Endowment Campaign, PO Box 110, Lewes, DE 19958 (www.lewescanalfrontpark.org/about-friends).
Please sign Greg's online guestbook located on this site.
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