Scott and Janie Halliday say they are so fortunate their children and grandchildren live nearby.
By Maddy Vitale
Scott Halliday somehow does the impossible.
The married father of four, grandfather to 11, of Ocean City, is devoted to his wife of 40 years and their kids and hosts weekly family gatherings. Professionally, he owns a successful general contracting business, Halliday Leonard, with former college roommate, Keith Leonard.
Despite all of that, he still manages to volunteer in the community.
And the 62-year-old, soft-spoken, affable man, who is quick with a smile, appears to do it all with ease. He learned through his dad and grandfather, both named Albert Halliday, what he should hold highest in importance in life.
“My father and great grandfather were my role models,” he said in an interview from his beautiful home overlooking the bay. “Family is key. Focus is family. Support each other and the community.”
He admitted he couldn’t juggle it all without the help of his wife, Janie, by his side.
The couple, who met through mutual friends, hugged and laughed, as they seemed to finish each other’s sentences. They said they are fortunate three of their children, Patrick and his wife Kelly, Chris and his wife Shannon and Scott Jr. and his wife Regina, live in Ocean City. Their daughter Colleen and her husband Deryck, also live nearby, in Linwood.
“Everyone comes over for dinner every Thursday night. We really look forward to that,” Scott said “We fish together. We ski together. We do lot of things together.”
Janie, a retired teacher in Upper Township, watches some of her grandchildren, who range in age from 10 to 1.
“It is going to get crazy around here,” Scott said with a chuckle, of school letting out. “The kids enjoy the bay. Any given afternoon you could have more than 11 kids swimming around.”
Janie called her husband a very positive influence on the family.
“Scott always sees the glass as half full, not empty. He is just a happy, positive person. Family is so important to him,” she said.
Scott and Janie Halliday say they are so fortunate their children and grandchildren live nearby.
Scott said he doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon. Luckily for him, he said, three of his kids are in the business, from real estate to architecture.
“I am enjoying it too much. I like the day-to-day, the particulars of the business and the interaction with the clients,” he said. “I like seeing a job complete and being able to appreciate it.”
He added, “We are in the construction business, so it is hands-on. Fortunately, we have our kids working with us.”
As a parent, Scott managed to give his family his all. He never missed their games. He was there for every important event, son Patrick Halliday, a realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach in Ocean City, said.
He said growing up in Ocean City, his father worked six days a week beginning at 6 a.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m.
“That is still his daily schedule. But being self-employed allowed him flexibility over the years. He never missed a soccer game. He never missed a ball game or a swimming event. No matter what we did as children, both my parents were always supportive. My dad was always involved, whether coaching or as a fundraiser. He was a father 100 percent.”
Somehow, Scott also has dedicated time to bettering the community, Patrick noted.
“He has always been looking to better the community for us and the next generation,” Patrick said. “He raised us on his morals and his parents’ morals. He raised us to put family first. He is very selfless and is always willing to help any way he can and volunteer.”
His involvement in the community includes serving on the board of commissioners of the Ocean City Housing Authority. He is also active with the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce and is a former president of the organization.
The younger generations are taking cues from their grandfather.
Patrick and his wife Kelly see it in their daughter, Kippin, 5, and their four-year-old son, Keegan.
He added, “The way he raised us to remember family comes first, you can already see in his grandchildren.”
For Father’s Day, OCNJDaily.com is celebrating a father who has the values we applaud.
In recognizing Scott Halliday, OCNJDAILY.com will donate to the charity of his choice, which is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation www.cff.org/newjersey.
