Dr. Tom Southcott, age 95, passed away Feb. 28, 2023. Born June 15, 1927 in Grand Falls, N.L., to Raymond and Geraldine Southcott. At age 17 he received a scholarship to attend St. Francis Xavier University. He attended medical school at the University of Ottawa. He then returned to Newfoundland where he served as the ship's doctor on the SS Kyle (of smokeroom fame) and other remote posts throughout the province.
In 1954 he briefly served at Old Cottage Hospital in Norris Point, Bonne Bay. During this time, he met and fell in love with June Hicks of Howley, and were married later that year. They spent their initial years together on the south coast of Newfoundland where their first three children, Bill, Susan, and Chris were born. The family eventually arrived in Port Arthur, Ont. in 1961 on the SS Keewatin where the youngest child, Jennifer was born. After working for several years as a general practitioner in Port Arthur, the family briefly moved to Winnipeg where he completed his ophthalmology specialty. He returned to Lakehead in 1968 and worked as an ophthalmologist in Thunder Bay until his retirement in 1990.
In addition to his wife, he had three passions: music, literature, and golf. From his days playing in his mother's dance band as a teenager to his hours writing music for and playing in various Dixieland bands in the city, and singing in the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus, he loved music. A proud Newfoundlander, Tom and his family, with the assistance of extended family from Duluth, hosted many social events celebrating the island's music and culture. He appreciated all kinds of writing, loved 19th-century British literature and memorized most poetry from the era. As well as writing music, he wrote poetry including many love sonnets for his wife. He was a terrible golfer but loved the game. When age prevented him from golfing, he became arguably the world's oldest continuous Tiger Woods PGA Tour gamer. Predeceased by his wife June, in 2018, Tom leaves his children Bill (Joyce), Susan (Jean), Chris (Laura), and Jennifer (Dave) and grandchildren Cassie (Marian), Carly (Dean) and Alex (Shannon) Robillard, and Florence (Kim) and Thomas Southcott, as well as nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Tom's life will be held at a later date. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations to the TBSO, Unitarian Fellowship or charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.