Scott Joseph Virgo

Scott was born on August 25, 1947 to parents Roderick and Violet, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was raised alongside his four siblings, Susan, Bruce, Keith, and Gwen. Later, the family moved to Escanaba, Michigan, where Scott graduated from high school in 1965. He moved downstate to attend Michigan State University, graduating in 1971, and later earned his master’s degree in social work at the University of Michigan in 1981.

A true adventurer at heart, Scott grew up as a member of the Boy Scouts of America. He would continue to explore by traveling across the United States as an adult, making good use of his extraordinary sense of direction. In his youth, he enjoyed playing music. He possessed an avid, lifelong interest in collecting military and science-fiction model kits and loved American military history. He shared his love for the world around him through his skills as an amateur photographer. He was a devoted supporter of the Green Bay Packers and Michigan State Spartans. Most importantly, Scott loved his family and friends, and the many foster kids he served through his long career.

Scott worked as a social worker for the State of Michigan’s child welfare services in foster care and adoptions, a work to which he dedicated nearly four decades of his life. Prior to his work in child welfare, he was a substance abuse counselor for adults and worked with children at W.J. Maxey Boys Training School and Hawthorn Center.

Scott was a member and leader in numerous volunteer and social groups. He was a co-facilitator for the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation Michigan Regional Support Group, a former president of the Kiwanis Club of Ypsilanti, a former treasurer of the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival, and an alumnus of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Michigan State University. Scott had an unparalleled skill at befriending others and maintaining long-lasting friendships.

Scott is preceded in passing by his parents, Roderick Virgo and Violet (Johnson) Virgo, and his siblings, Susan (Richard) Solka and Bruce Virgo.

He is survived by his siblings, Keith Virgo, Gwen (Orrin Bailey) Wood; children, Dana (Keith) Weintraub, Erin (Peter) Virgo, and Laura Virgo; and grandchildren, Eden, Gabriel, Mia, and Rosemary. He is also survived by his lifelong friend, former spouse and the mother of his daughters, Denice (Chenier) Virgo.

A funeral honoring Scott’s life will be held on Friday, February 21, with visitation beginning at 2pm, and service starting at 3 p.m. at Nie Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Scott’s name may be made to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (give.myotonic.org/ScottJosephVirgo) or to the Ypsilanti Kiwanis, 2080 Whittaker Rd, Suite 140, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.