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An Inspiring Life

Ronelle Grier I Contributing Writer

5

cott Spokojny was a man of great
courage: a devoted husband,
brother and son and a dedicated
attorney who fought for the rights of
his clients while waging his own battle
with cystic fibrosis. Scott, 39, who
lived in West Bloomfield with his wife,
Courtney, died on Sept. 13, 2016, from
complications of lung transplant surgery
he underwent three years ago.
Scott was a true fighter, refusing to
be defined by the debilitating disease he
was born with. As a child, when every
day included two chest therapy treat-
ments and more than 40 pills, he had an
indomitable spirit that refused to give
up or accept limitations.
"He was the bravest person I know:'
said his father, Milt Spokojny. "He was
my hero. I could never have done what
he had to do to endure."
Scott attended Andover High School
in Bloomfield Hills, where he played
varsity baseball and football. He earned
a bachelor's degree in business admin-
istration from Wayne State University,
where he won a championship as an
outfielder on the baseball team.
He attended the University of Detroit
Mercy Law School. After deciding to
be a disability rights lawyer, he worked
his way up in the Utah-based Myler
Disability law firm, supervising 10 other
attorneys in three states and handling
cases for disabled adults and children.
He earned the respect of judges, cli-
ents and colleagues, often creating a stir
when he wheeled his oxygen tank up
the center aisle of a courtroom.

"He was passion-
ate about anyone
in unfortunate
circumstances," said
his mother, Wendy
Spokojny.

TRAINER AND
COACH
Determined to live
his life to the fullest
despite the odds,
Scott fulfilled his
love of sports by
coaching a baseball
Scott Spokojny
team while living
briefly in California
and coaching a
team at Detroit Country Day School
after he returned to Michigan.
He became a proficient golfer and
fitness buff, working out zealously until
he was able to bench-press more than
200 pounds. He then became a certified
personal trainer, helping others improve
their health while maintaining his own.
To Scott, the arrival of his younger
sister, Jaclyn, was the greatest gift he
could have received, and the two devel-
oped a close bond despite their 10-year
age difference.
"He was the best big brother a little
girl could have," said Jaclyn. "He never
treated me as a 'tag-along'; he always
included me with his friends. He was
always prepared for whatever was com-
ing; he taught me not to be afraid of
life."
After graduating law school, Scott
traveled to Australia and New Zealand
with his friends, where he even tried

skydiving, refusing
to let his illness keep
him from pursuing the
adventures he enjoyed.

FINDING LOVE
In 2012, Scott met the
love of his life, Courtney,
through an online dat-
ing site, and the two
were married in January
of this year. Courtney
was drawn to Scott's
outgoing personality
as well as his sense of
humor, keen intelligence
and the kindness and
respect he showed her

two sisters.
"I knew right away [he was 'the one'[:'
Courtney said. "He squelched whatever
fears I had about his illness"
While their time together was
short, it was filled with an abundance
of love, laughter and happy times
spent at Courtney's family cabin in
Northern Michigan and at home in West
Bloomfield with family and friends. They
had fond memories of their honeymoon
cruise through the Caribbean, where
Scott fulfilled a longtime dream of swim-
ming with dolphins, and were looking
forward to buying their first home. When
he needed surgery, Courtney was by his
side, providing a calming influence that
helped him breathe more easily, both lit-
erally and figuratively.

MANY FRIENDS
Scott's circle of friends continued to
grow throughout his too-short life; he

made friends wherever he went. He was
a loyal and caring friend and a good
listener, never focusing on his own situ-
ation but always making time to ask
about others. To his friends' children,
who called him "Uncle Scott," he was
a Pied Piper, rooting at their sporting
events or showing them how to throw
a ball or swing a bat. He also had close
relationships with his cousins and their
children.
He loved family dinners and holidays,
animals, classic pop music and Detroit
sports teams. He loved out-guessing the
pros on Antiques Roadshow with his
sister. He had an infectious laugh and a
positive attitude that inspired everyone
who knew him. Despite any suffering
he endured near the end of his life, he
never complained or gave up hope.
"He had a magnetism about him,"
said his cousin Aliya Pasik. "You
couldn't keep him at arm's length."
Scott is survived by his beloved wife,
Courtney Spokojny; parents, Milton
Spokojny and Wendy Spokojny; sister,
Jaclyn Spokojny; uncles and aunt, Tony
Spokojny and Rona (Dr. Larry) Pasik;
mother- and father-in-law, Janie and
Frank Phillips; sisters-in-law, Catherine
Phillips and Christa Phillips; cousins,
Dr. Mindy (Dr. Lawrence) Stern, Aliya
(Dr. Michael White) Pasik, and Daniel
and Leah Spokojny.
Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made to the
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2265 Livernois,
Suite 410, Troy, MI 48083, (248) 269-
8759, www.cfforg. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel. *

Obituaries continued on page 58

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Obituaries September 22 2016

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