Rev. Dr. Victor F. Scalise Jr.
SEATTLE, Wash. — Rev. Dr. Victor F. Scalise Jr. died of pancreatic cancer on Sept. 15, 2023, at his home in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 91.
Vic, to those who knew him, was born in Norwalk, Connecticut on May 21, 1932, to Rev. Victor and Adelina (Filandino) Scalise and was the younger brother of his sister Elizabeth (Bette). He lived most of his life in Massachusetts, graduating from Mount Hermon School in Northfield, Massachusetts, and Colby College, in Waterville, Maine. Commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Air Force, he served as a Photo Reconnaissance Officer during the Korean Conflict.
Following his discharge, he earned degrees in theology, Masters in Pastoral Care and Doctorate in Administration from Andover Newton Theological School and attended the Program for Massachusettsnagement Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Business. For 17 years, Vic pastored The Baptist Church in Brookline and was one of the founders of the United Parish. Dr. Scalise served as president of New England Institute (NEI), Boston, and led NEI’s merger with Mount Ida College. Rev. Dr. Scalise served 18 interim ministries in the greater Boston area.
For over 40 years, Vic served as an On-Call Chaplain at Children’s Hospital in Boston, one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. Morehouse College inducted Vic into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers, and Colby College honored him with its highest alumni award. Vic was married to his first wife, Mary Love Egner, for almost 52 years until her death in 2009. In 2010, Vic married longtime friend of his wife Mary and he, Carolyn Fowler of Seattle. While living in Seattle, Vic wrote two books, a memoir, and an inspirational book, “Be a Yes I Can Person.” He preached his final sermon, Meeting Life’s Challenges, on July 23 at Brewster Baptist Church in Brewster, Massachusetts.
Outside of family, friends, work, and travel, Vic loved baseball and spending time in Ocean Park, Maine where he first went as a boy in the 1930s. Vic will be missed by his family in New England and Washington as well as by his many friends. Vic leaves his wife Carolyn and her family Jennifer and Randy Smith, and Cynthia and Bill Malone and their son Ian. He is survived by his daughters Carolyn Love and Suzanne and son Douglas and his wife Jill, as well as his grandchildren and great- grandchildren: Pietro Abruzzo and his wife, Stephanie and their children Luca and Amelia, Gabriel Reid, Carlos Davis, Carlos Davis Jr., and Adrian Davis, Nathan and Zoe Scalise and their son Caleb, and Greg and Massachusettsrci Scalise. Vic also leaves his nephew Chris Kilham and his wife Zoe Helene.
A service to celebrate Vic’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2023, at Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main St., Brewster, Massachusetts 02631.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scalise Memorial Fund at The Ocean Park Association, P.O. Box 7296, Ocean Park, ME 04063. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence please visit Vic’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com. Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, 04043
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