Scott Gast's legacy lives on

Editor's note: Scott Gast — a local musician who gained worldwide attention for his entertainment talents — died in a vehicle crash on Nov. 2, 2014. Scott's father, George, reflected on his son's death one year later.It has been one year since Scott passed on Nov. 2, 2014. Since then, there hasn't been a day that someone hasn't approached me, called me, emailed me or someway conveyed their wonderful encounter with Scott.Scott touched so many people that it's hard for me to fathom the thousands he helped by just being Scott. Perhaps it was his kind demeanor; his smile; his willingness to take the time to listen to someone; help an old man tie his shoelace; hold the door for someone; encourage someone that they could do it.It wasn't until a month or so after Scott passed that a man came to me and told me Scott saved his life. This man was going to commit suicide, and Scott talked to him while on a break and told him to stick around. Scott talked to him until the wee hours of the morning. Knowing he had to be at work by 8 a.m., he still gave this man hope, and by doing this, it saved his life.Scott had a God-given talent that when he walked into a room everyone wanted to talk to him. It didn't matter if you were 5 years old or 95; It didn't matter if you had a PhD, a master's degree or were mentally challenged. Scott would take the time to make each and every one feel special.Club owners loved Scott for his professionalism as well as his kindness, always trying to help and put on the best show night after night.At the bank, Scott was always smiling and helpful. Scott always went that extra mile to help people secure a loan. He helped his coworkers if they were stuck or backed up. Scott was always there and was an encyclopedia of knowledge. If Scott read something, he knew it. He could remember details on every fact of a loan as well as all the procedures that changed so rapidly in the banking world.Scott to this day continues to help people through the many things that were accomplished this past year in his memory via the help of his family, friends, fans and community. Because of their love for Scott, his legacy lives on:• About $28,300 was collected in Scott's name to restore the Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane window at Holy Angels in Sandusky.• Numerous instruments and money were donated in Scott's memory to The Little Kids Rock program at Huron St. Peter School for children in grades 1-8.• Scott's white baby grand piano was donated to the Firelands Symphony Orchestra school of the arts for children's music education.• Back to the Wild received many thousands of dollars to help continue the work by Mona Rutger in saving animals.• An electric acoustic guitar with a case and a stand was donated to Sandusky Life Teen, which is held at Holy Angels each Sunday, starting at 5 p.m.• A lot of money was donated to Grace Lutheran Church in Castalia for the food bank program.• The Scott Gast Scholarship Fund was established at Margaretta High School.• The cities of Sandusky and Huron each erected bronze plaques showing Scott's accomplishments and the effect he had on each community. In Sandusky, his plaque is in Schade-Mylander Plaza. In Huron, his plaque is on the Huron Boat Basin stage.• Many locations where Scott performed have placed guitars with his photo, band name and his name on them inside the establishments, showing the love and respect each of these owners had for Scott.1. Beer Barrel Saloon, Put-in-Bay2. Sawmill Creek Resort, Huron3. Margaretta High School, Castalia4. Time Warp Bar, Westlake5. West Park Station, Cleveland6. Historic Mon Ami Winery and Restaurant, Port Clinton7. Aces Grille North Ridgeville (both locations)8. Vosh Nighclub, Lakewood9. The Boneyard, Broadview Heights10. The Pump Bar & Grill, Sandusky11. Barrel House SaloonNote: The Funcoast.com Battle of the Bands contest, occurring during Ohio Bike Week, was named in Scott's honor earlier this year.12. i-5's Bar & Grill, Huron13. Bar 145, Norwalk14. Scoundrels Bar & Grill, Berea15. Plaza Lanes, Fremont16. Baker's Pizza Sports Shack, Bucyrus17. The Green Emerald, Bellevue18. The Patio, Vermilion19. Daly's Pub, Sandusky20. Mr. Ed's Bar & Grille, Port Clinton21. Kokomos at the Keys, Huron22. Lyman Harbor, Sandusky23. Jimmy Bukketts, FremontMargaretta Township dedicated a tree in memory of Scott in Lions Park, which is marked by a beautiful song engraved marker.Castalia Cold Creek committee had a ceremony opening the 2015 Cold Creek Festival. This plaque will be on display during each and every Cold Creek Festival and after each festival it will be on display throughout the year at Village Hall.Margaretta High School hung a guitar with Scott's photo and band name.Chet and Matt's Pizza has a 3-by-4 photo of Scott hung up, indicating he is one of Sandusky's local heroes.Jimmy Bukketts in Fremont had a Scott Gast weekend and on Aug. 29 had Scott's Rolling Stone tribute band play and shot off fireworks around Scott's guitar.Gov. John Kasich sent a proclamation.U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur sent a flag to honor Scott. The flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol just for Scott for a day.U.S. Sen. Rob Portman sent us a proclamation. Erie County commissioners dedicated a proclamation in memory of Scott, which was read at the Huron Boat Basin ceremony by Tom Ferrell.Mayor Brad Hartung of the city of Huron read a proclamation at the August meeting in memory of Scott.Dennis Murray Jr., president of Sandusky city commission, read a proclamation from the city of Sandusky for Scott's plaque dedication at Scahde-Mylander Plaza in downtown Sandusky.Scott's passing has left a huge void in my life. My heart aches. There are times I just can't accept that he is gone. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing Scott is in heaven and that I will see him again. All those who knew and loved Scott, please keep him in your prayers — always.Scott was always filled with enthusiasm, loved God and people. There wasn't anything I knew that Scott couldn't figure out once he put his mind to it. He did it. His knowledge was vast. His heart was huge. His goal was he always wanted those around him to be happy, and he made it so.God bless Scott.Scott Gast