After a 19 year battle with brain cancer, it is with heavy hearts that his family announces Lee's passing on Friday, February 4, 2022 at his home in Bradford. Lee was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England in 1973 to Roland (deceased) and Vanessa Scarlett. He grew up fishing with his father, running around the woods of England with big sister Louise and friends, and going to school until the family emigrated to Australia in 1979. After arriving in Canada in 1982, Lee went to Georges Vanier Catholic School and then St. Thomas Aquinas School in Brampton. During his time at St. Thomas Aquinas, Lee was in the reserves in the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada as a co-op placement then stayed on as a full member of the regiment for a total of two years. He worked as a lifeguard at Earnscliffe Recreation Center, managed a major water park and played for the Brampton Rugby Club where he regularly played until his brain cancer diagnosis 21 years ago at the age of 28. After graduating from Ryerson University with a Bachelors of Environmental Science, he worked for EcoLog Eris and then Water Canada as an associate publisher followed by being the Water Ambassador for Water Canada Magazine. His biggest accomplishment and pride and joy of his life is his family. He leaves behind his wife, Taline, daughter, Taveen and son, Darren. Their family was rounded out by Kaleigh, their Australian Shepherd. Many trips were taken by all of them to Algonquin Park as Lee absolutely loved the outdoors, camping, hunting, and fishing. As his illness began to take up more and more of his life, he chose to take it head on tenaciously fighting it with conventional and alternative therapies, and drug trials. He became an Admin on a FaceBook page to mentor and encourage other brain cancer fighters along their journey and was a staunch advocate of brain cancer awareness. The family would like to acknowledge Dr. James Perry and the staff of Sunnybrook Hospital for their impeccable care of Lee over the years. He also received wonderful care from the staff at Southlake Regional Health Center. They would also like to express deep appreciation for the nurses and PSW's that cared for Lee over the years, especially during the past two years of palliative care at his home. The family also wishes to thank the many friends, therapists, business associates, those who prayed for him and even those who didn't know Lee who came and stood by the family over the years. Your kindness and care will never be forgotten. As per Lee’s wishes a private cremation will take place on Tuesday, February 8 and a celebration of life (by invitation due to Covid restrictions) will be held on Friday, February 11.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate may do so to a charity that was very close to Lee's heart, the Sunnybrook Hospital