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NEWPORT NEWS - Ellsworth L. "Skip" Sharpe passed away on July 11, 2016. He was born in Springfield, MA on May 18, 1936, son of Lewis F. Sharpe and Janet Bertrand Scannell. Skip was raised in Agawam, MA. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering at the University of Massachusetts. He thoroughly enjoyed college life and was active as a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and ROTC. He was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force as an officer to fulfill his aspiration to be a pilot. While serving in the Air Force, Skip sustained an injury that left him legally blind. Despite this disability, he persevered and continued to lead a fascinating and fulfilling life. He returned to his home state of Massachusetts and obtained a Master's Degree in Education at Springfield College. He spent two years teaching high school back at his alma mater, Agawam High. He then attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute to pursue a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. After marrying Carol, they relocated to Newport News, VA to work for NASA as an aerospace engineer. During the latter part of his career, Skip worked for the Food and Drug Administration as a biomedical engineer. He retired in December of 1999. Skip was an advocate for others with disabilities and his active memberships in various organizations, such as the Blinded Veteran Association (past national president), American Council of the Blind, and Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, supported his advocacies. He enjoyed traveling, his annual ski trip with Ski for Light, dancing, big band music, football, and baseball. Dad was a genuine New Englander and loyal Boston Red Sox fan. Skip was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Carol McDonald Sharpe of Newport News, VA and his four children, Susan Smith and her husband, David, of Glen Allen, VA, Timothy Sharpe and his partner, Katherine Lett, of Newport News, VA, Daniel Sharpe of Baltimore, MD, and Anne Carter and her husband, Daniel, of Sparrows Point, MD. Skip was a proud grandpa of four grandchildren, Caroline and Graham Smith of Glen Allen, VA, Megan Lynch and Daniel Carter of Sparrows Point, MD. He is also survived by his brothers Thomas Sharpe of Feeding Hills, MA and Lewis "Chip" Sharpe of St. Augustine, FL. His best companion in his later years was his dog Riley. The family would like to thank the Coliseum Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center for their compassion and care. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at Weymouth Funeral Home with a reception to follow at the funeral home. Interment will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 18, 2016 at Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Blinded Veterans Association 125 N. West Street, 3rd Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home.
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I am blessed to be a friend of Skip. He cannot be replaced! For now, I will miss that great voice, entrancing stories and as an enhancing catalyst, his acting skills. We will continue on the other side.
P.S. Thank you for your military service. Thank you!
Franklin Geiger MD
Franklin Geiger
Coworker
July 1, 2020
Skip you and Carol made my service time in the Navy a lot more easier. You gave me a place to spend my weekends when I was not on duty at the Norfolk Naval station. Of course I was your built in baby sitter and I remember the day the twins were born. Not to mention that we grew up across the street from each other. My condolences Carol, Timmy, Suzie, Danny and Anne.
John DeLucchi
July 14, 2016
Sorry for the loss of your husband, father, grandfather, brother. We will be praying for God's comfort.
James & Stephanie Hopkins
July 13, 2016
Dan, your Marriott family grieves with you on your loss.
BWI Airport Marriott
July 13, 2016
Sending love and comfort to Anne and Dan and all the family.God's peace to you all, Jennifer and Hal Helmers
Jennifer Helmers
July 12, 2016
I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Sharpe family. Mr. Sharpe and my dad (Charles Woolfolk) were good friends with similar senses of humor that persevered despite their disabilities. I still crack up whenever I am in Union Station on an escalator. :-) I miss you, Sharpe family. I would love to connect in the near future. Annie and Danny, I am in Fort Washington, MD. Love you all.
Brian Woolfolk
July 12, 2016
Skip was a classmate of mine and I remember Skip as a very warm, friendly person.
My sympathy goes out to his entire family.
He is in God's loving care now.
God bless you.
Barbara Cheney
July 12, 2016
Carol and family,
I knew Skip at Agawam High. In our senior year he drove me to Umass for an entrance interview. We kept in contact over the years and in our last conversation we reminisced about our past adventures.
It was a privilege to have known Skip.
Sending my love,
John Spineti
July 12, 2016
Carol and family,
I knew Skip as a classmates at Agawam High. In our senior year he drove me to Umass for our entrance interview. We kept in contact over the years and in our last conversation we reminisced about all of the memorable adventures. It was a privilege to have known Skip.
Sending my love,
John Spineti
July 12, 2016
So sorry to hear of the passing of "Uncle Skip". I only had the honor of meeting him once and he was a fascinating man with wonderful stories. He was full of life. That one meeting left a lasting impression. I wish I had a chance to engage in conversation with him more. I would hear stories my dad (Chip) would say about him and thought he was pushing the truth. However, when I met Skip he was exactly as my father described him, full of life and loved it. My deepest sympathy to all his wife and children. You were lucky to have a man as Skip in your life. My thoughts are with you.
Jayme Sharpe
July 12, 2016
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