SCANLAN, Thomas Patrick Scanlan

passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on October 14, 2025. He was born June 8, 1937, to John and Maureen Scanlan in Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland.  On leaving school, he set off to attend the Nautical School in Liverpool and became a Master Mariner in 1967.  He was picked up at a dance by Eileen Hayes from County Limerick.  They had a quick, long- distance relationship and tied the knot in May 1967.  They emigrated to Canada on June 1, 1967.  Based in Victoria, BC, Tomás worked on Stone Town Weather Ship, Estevan, Vector, Parizeau and as Master of the W.J. Stewart Hydrographic Ship.  He finished his coastal experience with Imperial Oil on the Imperial Tofino.  Tomás finally joined the British Columbia Coast Pilots in 1977.   He worked as a BC Coast Pilot until his retirement in 2001.

Tomás and Eileen were the proud parents of Michele (Mike), Ian (Tanya), Annmarie (Steve), Brian and Fiona (Maxito). Tomás loved to sail, to sing, and to drive his van. He enjoyed rugby and walking anywhere close to the ocean. Tomás and Eileen traveled widely with their family over the years and always had to see the local port of any new place they were visiting.  After retiring, Eileen and Tomás often centred trips around visiting their far- flung children in locales such as New Zealand, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Peru, Haiti, India and Windsor, ON. Later years were spent assisting in the raising of, and spending quality time with, their eight grandsons Sebastian, Kaeden, Quinlan, Ryan, Emmett, Biko, Josué and Ari.  Enough boys for a good rugby team!

Tomás had dementia in his final years but continued to enjoy his family and friends even as his life became geographically smaller and smaller.  He attended his last live rugby game 10 days before he died which was a fitting last big adventure.

Tomás will be missed by his family and friends but will be remembered for the twinkle in his eyes, “spikes” in his coffee, his vocal rendition of the “Holy Ground” and his big warm hugs (and fist bumps). Go raibh math agat, Tomás, until we meet again.

Our family is very thankful for the support of Dr Ted Rosenberg, the VIHA Home and Community Care and Hospice who helped Tomás to remain anchored at home with us.

A Celebration of Life for Thomas Patrick Scanlan will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, on Saturday, November 1st, 2025, at 2:00pm

In lieu of flowers, a donation would be appreciated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com