Brian Evans Scrimgeour

BRIAN EVANS SCRIMGEOUR
February 15, 1954 September 27, 2015

It is with bittersweet fondness and incalculable wonderful memories that we announce the passing of BRIAN EVANS SCRIMGEOUR: brother, loyal friend, mentor, accomplished career executive, animal lover and activist, entrepreneur, independent free spirit and conscientious citizen of the world. Brian, as with most momentous crossroads during his all too brief time in this life, made the decision to exit on his terms at the time he determined was right as a result of a nearly 2-year battle with advanced prostate cancer and end stage renal disease. He transitioned at the age of 61 years old on Sunday, September 27 at his home in Rancho Mirage, CA surrounded by caring and loving friends.

A native of East Kilbride, Glasgow, Scotland, Brian was born February 15, 1954. The third of five siblings, he is survived by sisters Margo and Louise and his brother Jim. Additionally, he leaves behind eight nieces and nephews including Matthew, Louise and Jennifer Reilly, Emma and Lee Scrimgeour, Tracey O'Hanlon, Susan Barrett, Carol Kennedy along with sister-in-law Mary Scrimgeour. He also leaves behind his beloved furry four-legged friends COCO and SYDNEY, the current reincarnations of his long list of former adopted doggies. Brian was predeceased by his parents, Donald and Anne Scrimgeour (nee Anderson), and brother David.

He received his early education as a product of the Scottish seminarian school system, attending Langbank Junior Seminary, Blairs Seminary in Aberdeen, Scotland and Cardross Seminary resulting in multiple degrees. He held a bachelor's degree majoring in religious studies and minoring in philosophy and double masters' degrees in divinity and education.

A change of life goal direction occurred in the early 1970's when he left his native Scotland and set course for a new life in America. He settled in Huntington, Long Island where he completed his masters' degrees at the Immaculate Conception Seminary. It was immediately following the completion of his education that he undertook a fundamental change in career goals, to forge his way into the world of entertainment. Always driven to succeed, he learned, trained, taught and eventually competed in the world of ballroom and popular dance forms beginning as an instructor at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Eventually, he was able to purchase and operate his own dance studio. A natural rhythmic gift and an innate competitor resulted in numerous awards and trophies on the state level through his involvement at the Roseland Dance Studios. He was adept and dashing on the dance floor, mastering various forms from fox trot to tango to his favorites, the hustle and classic disco.

Not content to rest on these newly acquired laurels, Brian further pursued his quest to work in entertainment by moving West to Los Angeles, specifically Hollywood, where he started his career path by landing a position with Variety Magazine selling ad space. His real mind's eye, however, was focused on the renowned Paramount Pictures arched gate, the famous entrance to the storied Hollywood studio. Like legions of fans around the world, the gate was synonymous with "having arrived in Hollywood". He made no bones about being an avowed, dyed-in-the-wool Star Trek fan (Trekkie). His primary goal was to land a position at Paramount in whatever capacity he could make happen. He would later often say it was one of his "reach for the stars" moments. Having been hired in 1982 in the Guest Relations Department, Brian quickly rose through the ranks of the entertainment giant's Studio Group, garnering promotions that earned him attention and accolades while acquiring additional departments under his guidance and tutelage. During his stint with Guest Relations, he spoke of some of his fondest memories as the responsibilities that had him dabbling in audience television productions, such as HAPPY DAYS, LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY, MORK AND MINDY, FAMILY TIES, SOLID GOLD and his personal favorite, CHEERS.

One of Brian's self-stated greatest achievements during these early years was mentoring, advising and grooming the original members of the Paramount Page Program. Many of these "first generation" Pages, who were entry-level employees, became life-long friends and, with Brian's direction and guidance, went on to establish successful careers throughout the ranks of the industry: studio rank and file, creative management and actual production luminaries. Several of them still populate the ranks of the Hollywood business community as television and film executives, technical and creative decision makers, Emmy award winners and other ancillary areas of the industry. It was one of Brian's proudest accomplishments.

Along the way, he also managed to become a United States citizen, a globe-trotting traveler making trips to every corner of the world, a raconteur possessing the natural gift of storytelling, a true believer in the inherent good of mankind and most significantly, the ability to become a loyal friend and trusted confidante which, for all who had the pleasure of knowing him, would remain as such for a lifetime.

In a stroke of fate formulated mostly by his proven track record, Brian was able to move on from Paramount and found himself situated on the ground level during the formation of what was then major Hollywood headline news. Brian was recruited and hired by the newly formed DreamWorks SKG. During his tenure at the new film and animation studio, though titles were not used, he customarily applied his adept administrative skills to head up numerous departments, rising through the ranks during a decade span, to become the equivalent of Senior Vice President. During his DreamWorks years, Brian truly proved his executive mettle overseeing multiple departments, including Facilities Operations, Design and Construction, Purchasing, Security and Safety, Aviation and Travel, Transportation and Mail Services, and Food and Beverage. As with other aspects of his life and career, Brian culminated his time at DreamWorks SKG on his own terms at a time he felt was appropriate.

Post-studio career, this ever industrious, creative fellow forged a new career and hobby. With his amazing do-it-yourself acumen and drive, Brian successfully bought and sold homes throughout the Hollywood area, tending to every minute detail of renovation, design, landscaping and decoration. His lifelong hobbies of photography (as a child he developed his own photos in a homemade lab) and his self-sufficient "can do" motto facilitated the joy, pleasure and sense of reward these projects brought him. Along the way, he spent his spare time formulating his life story on paper, a pet project he was working on for years and at the time of his passing. His last move from Hollywood to the desert city of Rancho Mirage found him undertaking his final "grand renovation" project: a comfortable, cozy, smartly appointed home he could lay claim to created in his own vision. His homes were his Scottish castles, and his final home was where he insisted on making his final transition.

An ardent supporter of rescue dogs and pet fostering organizations, Brian was also an unabashed admirer of science fiction, films, TV Land reruns, supporter of progressive politics, defender of the down trodden, amateur author, serial sweet-tooth fanatic, loyal companion to all while remaining true to his Scottish heritage. It didn't take much to convince him to dawn his authentic Scottish kilt with all the accompanying accoutrement, proving that once a Scotsman, always a Scotsman. The wit, expressive depth and wisdom of his East Kilbride Scottish roots could appear instantly in the form of his Scottish accent returning at any given moment beneath his carefully refined, modulated American-speaking voice.

Brian's ultimate last wish was to try and emphasize that he wanted his family and friends not to mourn his passing but rather to celebrate the time he was able to spend with the legions of those he worked with, admired and loved. At his request, his remains were cremated and will be spread both in Los Angeles and back in his hometown of East Kilbride, Glasgow. A memorial to celebrate his life is being planned for Thursday, November 12 at 7:00p in the Sherry Lansing Theatre at Paramount Studios. Family and friends interested in attending the memorial should RSVP to Tim Perez at tperez@reactionmarketing.net by November 6 indicating the names of those attending. In order to be admitted to the memorial, your name will be required on the admission list at the Melrose gate and you will be required to produce a photo ID.
Brian's favorite charity was the Bill Foundation (billfoundation.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating the suffering of those abandoned in the shelters or on the streets, dog by dog. In honor of Brian's memory, please consider contributing to this worthwhile cause.

"Not by what I have, but what I do is my kingdom" Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher