SAN ANTONIO, TX - John S. Skarbek, 92 formerly of Oxford, died on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2017 in San Antonio, TX.
He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Charlotte “Shirley” (Madura) Skarbek; 4 children, John P. “Jay” Skarbek of Walla Walla, WA, Mark P. Skarbek and his wife Edyta of Kuwait, and twins Karin S. Fortier and her husband Kevin of Warrington, PA and Kelan Skarbek and his wife Robyn of Bethlehem, PA; and 4 grandchildren, Allison Fortier, Karey Fortier, Daniel Skarbek and Ansley Adams.
He was born and raised in Oxford, the son of Joseph and Sophie (Chmielewicz) Skarbek. He graduated from Oxford High School and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from Boston University in 1953.
John was a decorated Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He held various gunnery positions on B-17’s and B-29’s that flew 35 missions being shot down twice and evading capture. He was proud of his service to his country. He was later captured in Webster, MA by Charlotte Madura.
Mr. Skarbek’s degree in Geology gave him many opportunities to work in various aspects of the field from a Researcher at Blue Hill Observatory, Boston, MA, out West as an Exploratory Geologist, as a Geologist for the State of Pennsylvania and as a Petroleum Engineer for the IRS.
John loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, teasing them and telling them jokes and making up limericks with them. He had many talents and enjoyed many hobbies from being an accomplished craftsman in woodworking making many beautiful gifts for his family (especially his grandchildren) as well as raising sheep and beekeeping. His honey was frequently given out as gifts. John devoted a lot of his years as a volunteer to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA, running their Deli, facilitating booths for the Polish Festival and serving as the President of the Volunteer Association.
Mr. Skarbek was a member of Holy Trinity Church in San Antonio, TX.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 25, at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb Street, Webster. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster, with military honors provided by the U.S. Army. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Basilica from 9:30 am to 10:00 AM, prior to Mass. Donations in his name may be made to The American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave, Waltham, MA 02451. Arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster, MA.