In the 91st year of a life well lived, Paul J Skelton, Sr., died peacefully on Tuesday. He was surrounded by the loving presence of his family and Irish music playing softly at the home of Paul and Peg Skelton, in Dedham.
Paul was born in Medford and raised in Malden. When World War II broke out, Paul, then only 15, enlisted in the US Navy. For 4 years he served on board the destroyers U.S.S. Davison, DD618 in the European-African theater and the U.S.S. Myles C Fox, DD829, in the Asiatic-Pacific theater. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the European-African Theater medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater medal. He also fought as an amateur boxer after World War II in the light heavy weight division.
Upon discharge, Paul graduated from Northeastern University, earning degrees in both mechanical engineering and management. His love of learning was a life long passion and a value he strove to instill in his children. Paul also served as a mentor for others seeking to pursue a career in engineering. A retired Senior Engineer for Raytheon, where he worked for 22 years, he was previously employed at several other engineering firms.
A resident of Roslindale for forty years, Paul divided his time after retirement between residences in North Fort Myers and Bradenton, Florida as well as Quincy, MA. He was also a longtime summer vacationer at Newfound Lake, New Hampshire.
Paul was an excellent public speaker and was very active in Toastmasters International. He held all club offices up to President and earned both Competent and Able Toastmaster speaking levels. He was a life member of VFW Post 8857 in North Fort Myers, Florida, and was also a past president of St. John Chrysostom Church Holy Name Society in West Roxbury, MA.
Paul was a natural athlete and was a long time runner & golfer as well as an avid sports fan, While the Red Sox let him down this season, Paul was able to watch the Patriots win their two most recent games, cheering with the rest of his family.
Paul was also a wonderful singer. Whether it was in the car on road trips or at family weddings there are many sweet memories of Paul’s strong but graceful voice singing “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” and “Galway Bay” among others.
Paul was the husband of the late Jeanne F. McLaughlin. He leaves behind his daughter Maureen A. Skelton & her wife, Eileen of Interlaken, NJ; his son, Paul J. Skelton, Jr .and his wife Margaret of Dedham, MA; his daughter Jane E. Lamie and her husband Bob of Quincy, MA; his daughter, Kathleen M. Doyle and her husband Steven of Derry, NH. He was the beloved grandfather of: Patrick E. Skelton, Nicole J. Lamie and Liam S. Doyle. He was also the great-grandfather of Julian P. Rhodes. Paul also leaves behind his brother-in-law, Jack McLaughlin and his sisters-in-law, Angela McLaughlin, Bernadette McLaughlin and Ruth M. Gibbons as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral from the P.E. Murray-F.J. Higgins, George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Centre St. West Roxbury, Monday Nov. 9th at 9am. Funeral Mass in St. John Chrysostom Church, West Roxbury at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Sunday Nov. 8th from 3-7pm. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.
The family is very grateful to Dr. Ann LaCasce, Dr. Samuel Ng, Dr. Karl Laskowki, and the rehab and palliative care staff at Newbridge on the Charles. They would also like to thank the Hospice Team at Hebrew Senior Life who helped make the last days of Paul’s life a time the family will always treasure.
Donations in Paul’s name may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute- P.O. Box 849168-Boston, MA 02284-9168