'He was basically family': Fmr. Waukesha Co. sheriff's deputy found deceased in Arizona remembered as selfless, kind
PEWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Days after a Pewaukee man was found unresponsive on a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park, those close to him are remembering the 56-year-old as someone dedicated to helping and serving others.
The Waukesha Co. Sheriff's Dept. confirmed the identity as Scott McDonnell, a former deputy of nearly three decades, who retired in 2019.
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CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White spoke with Daniel Weymier, the owner of Anytime Fitness in Waukesha, who said he's built a father-and-son type of relationship with McDonnell over the past three years.
#NEW: Tonight, we're remembering a #Pewaukee man who was found unresponsive on a hiking trail in Grand Canyon National Park last Friday. @WaukeshaSheriff confirmed he is 56yo Scott McDonnell, who served as deputy for 29 years before retiring in 2019. Tune into @CBS58 at 9/10 pic.twitter.com/idG7HG5PCQ
— Ellie Nakamoto-White (@ellienw_news) February 25, 2023
"He was literally just a friend, basically family, to me and a lot of the other members here," Weymier said. "He was here 30, 40 times a month, multiple times a day."
Weymier said that besides working out, McDonnell would spend his time cleaning, fixing and reorganizing the gym space, out of the kindness of his heart.
"I have no idea why he did that. His whole thing was just making my life easier," Weymier said.
Since Feb. 17, Weymier said the gym hasn't felt the same.
"Every day coming in here, when he's not here, you can tell," Weymier said.
Weymier believes McDonnell was on his annual month-long trip to Arizona where he spends the first half hiking and then the second half watching the Brewers spring training.
"He sent me this long text about how he was coming back Mar. 20 and I said something about counting the days down," Weymier said. "I would do anything to spend another hour just talking to him."
Now, he's hoping for peace and healing for McDonnell's family and other loved ones during this tragic time.
"I'm a firm believer that to be successful, you need somebody to be in your corner and Scott was that person for me," Weymier said. "They don't make people like Scott anymore and again; I don't know why he did what he did but I just wish I could've told him how many people here appreciated him and just made life easier for all of us."