Another giant fell in Scarborough this winter. Grant Worthing, 93, father of four boys; husband to the late Maureen “Bunny” Worthing; one of the founders of the original Scarborough Rescue Unit (that saves your yuppie Scarboro suburban derrieres nowadays, Chloe and Biff); and buddy of 1960s-70s town doctor Philip Haigis (namesake of Haigis Parkway – BTW – “High-Gus’ pronunciation please!).
Go to YouTube. Bunny was Phyllis Diller. Grant was Cary Grant.
My five favorite Grant Worthing stories.
YOU ARE INVITED AND WILL ATTEND
When I moved back to Scarboro in 1983 and set up a law practice, Grant was one of the adults I ran into who I had known “as a parent” growing up here in the l960s, ’70s. It is kind of cool becoming friends with parents of kids you grew up with. And these adults were not shy about telling my generation we needed to get involved.
He once dropped an envelope at my office. He said it was a birthday card with money in it. I opened the envelope; it was a petition to run for Town Council – with his signature on the first line. Subtle!
CAN I PLAY THROUGH?
I started playing golf at Willowdale in the early l980s. Grant was part of one of those foursomes they portray in Hollywood movies featuring Walter Matthau and other Jack Lemmon. His group was him and three other gentlemen in their 70s and 80s Billy Bedford, Arthur Roderick and Hartwell York. They liked to gamble. Little side bets, etc. You had to wait for your “invitation” to join their weekly games.
They placed $2 bets for best score, etc. But, more important, they gave away butterscotch hard candy for special things like birdies, or driving a par 4. I once made a birdie after hitting three horrible shots – but chipping in from 50 yards out. Grant witnessed all of it, and kidded me mercilessly. I was presented with candy the next day on the first tee, sugar-free. “Sorry for the delay,” he said. “It took me awhile to find this type for you.” Touche!
MY INFLUENCE ON YOUR SON
As I got to know Grant better in the l980s, I worked up the courage to ask him about the days (and nights) I spent with his son, Scott, in high school. Did he know Scott and I did some, well, things we should not have done? “Yes, we knew what guys were doing, over at the Widow’s Walk, and down at the beach…But, basically, I always felt you were harmless.” Ouch!
OH MY GOD
In the last few years of his life, Grant started going often to church at First Congregational Church. He went alone. I sat with him. “Grant,” I whispered one day. “I didn’t know you were religious. Does this mean you believe in God?” “Well, I’m not sure,” he whispered back, “but I show up just in case…”
DONE YET?
Grant was a funny guy. Good with a “zinger.”
I often tried to fire back. When Grant hit age 90, I said, “Grant, in that great game of golf in life, you are coming down the l8th fairway these days, aren’t you?” I said. “Yes,” he said, deadpan, “but I’m planning on playing 27.”
Still the faster gun. R.I.P., Mr. Worthing.
Dan Warren is a Scarborough trial lawyer. He can be reached by private Facebook message at the Jones & Warren Attorneys at Law, or by email at jonesandwarren@gmail.com.
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