LARGO, Fla. — Lewis A. Scott, co-founder of Escot Bus Lines, passed away last month at his home here. He was 76.
Scott was born on March 14, 1941, in Utica, N.Y., to the late Lewis and Emma (Jean-Louis) Scott.
Scott graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1957 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. On Dec. 1, 1962, he married his true love, Diane J. Zyga, who preceded him in death in 2011 after 49 years of marriage.
Scott is survived by his son Brian (Sandy) Scott of Largo; his daughter Pamela (Richard) Calisto of Seminole; two grand-dogs, Bentley and Precious; and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In his younger years, Scott worked as a planner for computer and manufacturing companies, while his wife worked at Mohawk Airlines, which allowed the newlyweds to travel and explore the country. Their love of travel eventually led to their ultimate career choice as business owners.
In 1982, the Scott family relocated to the Tampa Bay area of Florida with the desire to write their own future and not be dependent on others to make career and life changing decisions for them.
In 1983, the desire to be their own bosses culminated with the purchase of a small passenger transportation company with two minibuses. They eventually renamed the company Escot Bus Lines, which 35 years later is an 80-plus-vehicle company with multiple Florida locations.
Brian Scott, who is a member of the UMA board of directors and now runs the company, said he appreciates the sacrifices his parents made by starting all over again at mid-life to give him and his sister a better life.
“While Pam and I were not really thrilled with all the late nights and early mornings cleaning buses, driving buses, fixing buses, etc., when we were young, those are some of the fondest memories we have as a family because we all worked together to make it happen,” Scott said.
