David Roy Scoco

August 17, 1958 - March 22, 2021

David Roy Scoco, 62, of Lake Forest, IL, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 22, 2021. David was born in Cleveland, OH, on August 17,1958, the eldest son of the late Albert J. Scoco and Joy Ashmus. He graduated from Cherry Hill East High School in Cherry Hill, NJ. David grew up at the racetrack. Working with his father and uncle at racetracks and stadiums across the Northeast and Midwest throughout his childhood, he developed a love for food service, which led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. After graduating from Cornell in 1980, he began his career in food service management with SportService Corporation in Buffalo, NY. A year later he joined Canteen Corporation in Chicago, IL (later known as TW Services, Inc.), where he created a recreational services business unit as the Director of Sales & Marketing. David’s leadership secured the nationwide National Park Services contract, accounting for over 3,000 recreational accounts and generating sales in excess of $3 billion. During this time, he also completed a master's degree in Finance and Marketing from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Evanston, IL, in 1990. David became an entrepreneur in 1991 upon founding his own company, Creative Concession Concepts (CCC), serving as the Managing Director through 2004. CCC specialized in consulting services for clients who conducted visitor, food, and hospitality services, and other recreational opportunities at major public facilities. David’s career at CCC culminated when he successfully negotiated McDonald’s becoming the official food service partner for the Olympic Games with the International Olympic Committee. He subsequently oversaw and managed all of McDonald’s daily commercial operations for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, including the food service for athletes from around the globe. Throughout his career, David was an active member of the National Association of Concessionaires. He proudly served as President for three years, after which he became the Chairman of the Board for two additional years. After leading a successful corporate and entrepreneurial career in the hospitality industry, he redirected that spirit to pursue a business venture focused on his lifetime passion for hockey. David created Xtreme Hockey & Lacrosse, where he provided quality products and outstanding customer service to the hockey community until 2020. David was married to his best friend from college, Priscilla Rellas Scoco, for 37 years. Together they had three beloved children: Dr. Aleka Nicole Scoco, Anton Prescott Scoco, and Chandler Antigone Scoco. David was an avid reader, and a skilled sailor and golfer. He was a wonderful chef and entertainer, known for hosting lively dinner parties. David was active in all of his children’s athletics careers, as a beloved hockey and soccer coach. He was Chairman of the American Youth Soccer Organization league teams for numerous years. He loved camping and cherished our beautiful earth, as exemplified by his love for and work with the US National Parks. His family loved receiving his infamous sunset photos wherever he went, often accompanied by the caption, “#blessed”. David and Priscilla traveled the world together, from Asia to South America, and instilled an appreciation of other cultures in their children. He explored international cuisines and befriended all those he met. Highlights included a trip to Japan with his father when he was 11 years old, biking through Alsace, France, and Northern Italy with Priscilla, exploring Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, and hiking to Machu Picchu, Peru with his children. Everyone who knew David will fondly remember him for his unbeatable wit, humor, and storytelling. David loved his family and was the glue that held them together - infallibly with open arms and a warm meal waiting in the kitchen. In addition to his wife and children, David is also survived by: his siblings Allison Scoco Hager and Alan Scoco (wife Kisty); nephew Kyle Hager; cousin Tamara Cassady (husband Roger); and many other family members, godchildren, and friends. David is preceded in death by his father Albert J. Scoco and his mother Joy Ashmus. Visitation will be held at 4:00-6:00pm on Friday, March 26, at Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home (28300 Tamiami Trail South, Bonita Springs, FL 34134). The funeral service will be held at 1:30pm Saturday, March 27, at 7100 Airport-Pulling Rd, Naples, FL 34109. Father Demetrios J. Mott of St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church will be officiating. Burial will follow the funeral at Palm Royale Cemetery in Naples, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Parks Foundation on their website under Donate to the Parks: Tribute Gifts. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com.