Skip approached life like a kid in a candy store, wanting to try everything at once, never wanting to waste a moment or miss out on anything.  He was driven by a fascination with information, finance, novelty, gadgets, and all things electronic.  Books arrived at his home in a steady flow.

Skip wished to master everything that captured his interest.  

He spent this past summer perfecting smoked ribs, trying them out on everyone who came by. Just ask his wife.  Mary is still saying she doesn’t want to eat ribs again for a while!

Skip never met a stranger he wasn’t interested in, never ate a meal he didn’t enjoy, or a drank beer he didn’t like.  He had a rich appreciation for music, sports, literature, and theater.  

He did all of this without hoarding. Skip openly offered his time, resources, and concern to everyone, never wishing for anyone to be left out.   

He supported Mary in her pursuit of painting, and continually praised her cooking.  

If a kid or a neighbor or friend or family member neededsupport, he did everything within his power to help.  (Even though he would ask enough rapid-fire questions to annoy you to death.)  

Along with Mary, he created the life they desired, and the family he was so proud of—a life and family that centered on faith and an unrelenting generosity.  Skip found great satisfaction in serving through his church and being an integral part of community.

Skip became beloved “Pop-Pops” to each of his grandchildren, beginning with Trina and Tyler, followed by Lauren, Owen and Max, Riley, Eliana, Alexander, and great-grandson Rory.  His love and adoration for all of them was undeniable.  As each of them got older, he wanted their booklist for school so he could read along.  He attended every sporting event and choir concert, would “visit” them at work, and was the first one in the pool with them in the summer.

Skip believed he and Mary needed to make the most of retirement.  To him, friends, family, and travel were the way to do it.  Before he became ill, he had already made extensive travel plans for Florida, New York City, and Mexico.  Those plans covered November, December, and January.  Then he turned to Mary to ask, “Where are we going in February?  

In recent months, Skip turned to reflecting on his legacy to his family.  He wondered about leaving an allotted inheritance and wondered how he might be best remembered by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandson, Rory.  

Now that he is gone, we know what that legacy is.  He left us with a loving, energetic abundance and presence we will never forget.