Scott Christopher Willard, 66 years old, long-time resident of Marblehead, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, after a year-and-a-half battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Jeanette (Lindeman) Willard; first wife Marilyn (Skidgell) Willard, their daughter Amanda (Willard) Matte and her husband Jason Matte. He also leaves behind his five stepchildren: Jamie Hare, his wife Amy Hare and their son Rowan; Jared Hare and his son Jason; Jonathan Hare and his daughters Zoey and Olivia; Joel and Stacey Hare and their sons Preston and Zachary; and Justin Hare. He was preceded in death by his mother, Diane (Bradley) Willard.
Scott was born in Marblehead on June 29, 1957, to Diane (Bradley) Willard and Bob Willard. From an early age, he had a deep connection and love of his family dogs. Scott was a graduate of Marblehead High Scchool in 1975. He showed the drive toward entrepreneurship as a teenager, which ultimately led to him starting his own plumbing company (Scott Willard Plumbing and Heating) as a master plumber for close to 40 years serving the North Shore. His customers would describe him as “punctual, reliable, highly knowledgeable in his craft and comparable to the old-fashioned master craftsman.” Scott also had the honor of being a member of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce.
Hobbies throughout his life included boating/spending time on the ocean with family, traveling most recently with his wife Jeanette, especially to Nashville to see country music performers, and spending time with his canine pals Schnapps, Toby and Dixie. As of late, Scott enjoyed visiting local flea markets during the summer in search of antique pipe wrenches, tools and other unique items. He would then restore and proudly display them around his home.
Scott valued hard work, honesty, independence, his sense of humor and, of course, spending time with his family. He was most looking forward to the arrival of his grandson, “baby Matte,” in September. He will be missed by family, friends, customers and the town he proudly served.
A celebration of life will be held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marblehead, on Sunday, Aug. 6, noon-3 p.m. Scott was a proud contributor to research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for decades. Donations can be made to St. Jude in his honor.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at EustisandCornellFuneralHome.com for the Willard family.
