Scott Shookman

Scott Shookman couldn’t imagine having more fun in the next world than he did in this one, but that won’t stop him from trying. His answer to every adversity was his signature ear-to-ear smile. After a courageous fight with cancer, Scott drifted peacefully into eternal life on Sunday, February 15, 2015. He was 58.

Scott was born July 29, 1956, in Houston, Texas, and lived in six states before graduating from McDowell High School, in Erie, Pa. Scott’s breaststroke earned him a spot on The Ohio State University swim team. He was successful in the pool, graduating with a bachelor’s degree, a four-year letterman in the Varisty O Club and forevermore a Buckeye. But he did better on the pool deck, spotting Becky Houk during a lifeguard meeting. From the moment they came together, there was zeal for life shared between two best friends. They were married May 3, 1980. Scott was hired by Goodyear Aerospace in Akron. They settled in the Portage Lakes, where the only thing he loved more than living on the lake was the people he found on the shore.

He was at home in the fast lane: on boats, in cars and on Wall Street. Thirty-one years at Merrill Lynch was never work for Scott. Every day was different in the stock market, and he enjoyed the close relationships he built while helping others manage their finances. For Scott though, suit and tie often meant swim trunks and a line coiled around a dock cleat. Never one for sitting still, he always had a new hobby and a new project. His power was in motivation, roping friends and even strangers into things they never thought they’d try. His sense of adventure was catching, and it carried into his many travels, whether in hiking boots, on two or four wheels or, of course, on the water.

Lucky for us, Scott was generous with his boundless energy. His pride in Portage Lakes Kiwanis made its projects his family traditions. He believed deeply in the power of education, and did his best to further the interests of Manchester Local Schools. It will be hard to forget his willingness to help almost anyone doing almost anything. He lived as a servant to others and a backbone to all that call him family.

He is survived by Becky, his wife of 34 years; daughters he could not have been more proud of, Sara and Kim; parents, Dave and Rita; sister, Janet Shookman; brother, Mark (Catherine) Shookman of Deerfield, Ill.; father-in-law, Dr. John Houk, Jr. of Suttons Bay, Mich.; brothers-in-law, Jim (Karen) Houk of Columbus, Ohio, and Bob (Bobbie) Houk of Negley, Ohio. Although he never had sons, he shared that bond with Eric Weiss and his seven nephews. Along with his grandparents, he is preceded in death by mother-in-law, Mary Houk.

Scott’s journey is an example of how to make every day count, with compassion, kindness, working hard and playing hard, too. His spirit will continue to inspire countless friends, colleagues, clients and mentors, who have supported him and the entire Shookman family in so many ways. All are welcome to celebrate Scott’s life Saturday, March 7, 2015, 1 p.m., at Lakeview Christian Church, 4613 S. Main St., Akron, Ohio, 44319. An open house will follow between 2 and 5 p.m. at Prime at Anthe’s, 4315 Manchester Road, Akron, Ohio 44319.

Instead of flowers, please consider a contribution to do good in Scott's memory. His suggestions include supporting his team, Spreading Scott’s Smile, as they ride for a cancer-free world in Pelotonia at www.pelotonia.org/scottshookman, or mail donations to Pelotonia, L-3454, Columbus, Ohio 43260, with the team name included in the memo line. You can also give to the Portage Lakes Kiwanis, P.O. Box 19186, Akron, Ohio 44319; or the Ducks of the Portage Lakes, P.O. Box 1147, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 44223.