“Tomás” 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
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17 Responses
Our sincere condolences to the Scanlan family on the passing of Tom.
I crossed paths with Tom many times during my career. First at Imperial Oil on the Imperial Tofino and Imperial Skeena. Tom at that time, was very pumped about getting into the Pilots and his enthusiasm helped kindle my ambition to get to that goal. Later when I became a B.C. Coast Pilot I had the pleasure to work with Tom in the Pilot Training and exam committee. After work we would go for a long walk and discuss the issues of the day. Tom was always enthusiastic about the progress of his family and would keep me up to date on the many interesting adventures the Scanlan family were up to. His appreciation for long walks and skill testing adventures were always forefront. One time he commented as was walked past a large construction site in Vancouver that he would have enjoyed supervising such a project. Tom was meticulous in his work and took great pride in his competence as a professional mariner.
His ambition and cheerful attitude are lasting legacy for the family.
Peter and Joyce Vivian
If was with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Uncle Tom. Sincere condolences to Auntie Eileen, Michele,Ian,Ann-Marie, Brian and Fiona and their families on this sad occasion. We will always remember Tomás with affection and great memories.May he rest in peace
I had the great honor of singing with Tom for many years with the Victoria Male Voice Choir. I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Tom is singing in heaven with some of the other guys he sung with over the years. RIP Tom
To Eileen and all the Scanlan family my sincerest sympathy on the passing of Tom .May He rest in peace from Dublin Ireland
Condolences to the Scanlan family. The Scanln family was a big supporter of my education via Fiona Scanlan in Haiti when I was in secondary school.
I am now a Biomedical Engineer helping a lot of hospitals in Haiti.
Rest in peace
Evenel OSIAS, BMET/CE
Dear Scanlan family.
May you find comfort in the cherished memories you shared with your father/husband. We feel blessed to have met him and enjoyed his cheerful personality.
Matthew 5:4. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”
Our deepest condolences.
The Weir family (Victoria BC)
Dear Mrs Scanlan, Michele and family.
My heart felt condolences on the loss of your beloved husband, best friend and father. I have so many beautiful memories of him, especially when I would visit Michele in Victoria during nursing school. I remember thinking what a wonderful voice he had and such a twinkle in his eyes. I enjoyed talking to him and Mrs. Scanlan with Michele sitting at their kitchen nook in their cosy house. He was always so kind to me and I will never forget that. I’m happy for all of you that he died peacefully in the home that he loved, surrounded by the people that he loved. I hope your beautiful memories of him will help to sustain us during this difficult time. Take good care and sending you much love..
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Tom. I had the pleasure of being a guest in their house on Vancouver Island in the summer of 2002 where I spent 5 glorious days there with Tom and Eileen. They were so hospitable and I felt like one of the family and absolutely loved our afternoon out on the boat with the family. I enjoyed meeting Tom and Eileen over the years afterwards in Ireland with their wonderful children and grandchildren. An absolute gentleman. Rest in Peace Tom, Angela Brennan
I am grateful to have met Michele’s father while he was still able to regale me with his snippets of Hindi and I could see his loving joyful spirit. It is inspiring to read about his voyage, and to hear of a life well- lived. There are no higher riches than raising and being surrounded by loving, good family.
May his soul rest in eternal peace, and his beloved caring supportive family be blessed with all the strength and peace he would wish for them.
Heartfelt condolences to Auntie Eileen, Michele, Ian, Annmarie, Brian, Fiona and their families on the passing of your beloved Dad. We have such fond memories of family get-togethers here in Ireland. RIP Uncle Tom. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Annan