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John Skumin Obituary
John Skumin Sr.
1935 - 2014 LANESBOROUGH Mr. John Skumin Sr., 78, of 14 Imperial St., Lanesborough, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2014, at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Pittsfield on Sep. 28, 1935, the son of Vincent and Helen Zalenski Skumin, he was a graduate of St. Joseph High School and was also a graduate of Berkshire Community College with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. Mr. Skumin joined the Massachusetts National Guard where he served for six years. John worked as a Patrolman for the Pittsfield Police Department for 32 years, retiring in 1994. He enjoyed antique cars and owned a 1954 Nash Metropolitan. He was a member of the Metropolitan owner's Club and a member of the Pittsfield Piston Poppers Car Club. Mr. Skumin was past president of MyCom Federal Credit Union. He enjoyed spending winters at his home in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was a NASCAR fan and had attended several Daytona 500's, not far from his home. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and horseback riding and had owned several horses. When he was younger, John was a member of a Drum and Bugle Corps and still enjoyed attending shows. He is survived by his wife, the former Claudette Helfer, whom he married on April 26, 1958; four children, John Skumin Jr. and his wife, Janine, Sharon Klein and her husband, Hannes, James Skumin, and Andrew Skumin and his wife, Cynthia; a sister, Christine Stafford; three grandchildren, Trevor Skumin, Ava Klein, and Gavin Klein, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Chester Malkowski, Stella Daviau, Joseph Malkowski, Wanda Britton, Jenny Whitney, Julie Saldato, Anne Nascimento and Blanche Roukas. FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Mr. John Skumin Sr. will be Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at 9 a.m. from the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield MA, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, celebrated by Msgr. Michael A. Shershanovich, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be today, Monday May 19, 2014, from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Massachusetts Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, care of the DWYER FUNERAL HOME, in his memory. Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave condolences and remembrances.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Skumin
Gavin Klein
June 8, 2014
RIP Opa
Gavin Klein
June 7, 2014
I will never forget my great and wonderful grandpa, Opa I will miss your stories of when you were a Police Officer and the times we talked. And most of all you. I will never forget you.
Love, your grandson Gavinmaster
Laura and Fay Verchot
May 24, 2014
Claudette and Family, So sorry for your loss of John.
Doug Carlson
May 23, 2014
To the Skumin Family. I knew John way back when I was in high school and working with Mike Barile. I loved his cense of humor. He was a well respected officer and a wonderful man. I am sorry for your loss.
May 21, 2014
RIP uncle john....
May 21, 2014
we are so sorry about john we wil miss him dearlylove popps
Michele DuCharme
May 21, 2014
I will always be your 'Shelly' and Jeff will always be your 'Little Gary'. I know you and my Dad are together watching over your little girls and guiding them through life's challenges. We love and miss you! Shelly, Jeffrey & Jack Raymond
Martha Beaudin
May 21, 2014
I will miss ya forever, Tex. Rest in peace and God Bless to your family.
BUFFY PALMER
May 20, 2014
dear skumin family. i am so very sorry to hear about your loss. he was a wonderful man. i remember as a little girl the talent shows we all did. and mr, skumin let my friend and i put a pair of his paints on and see if we could walk me in one leg and her in the other. what a blast us barnes kids and skumins use to have. he will be well missed. your all in my thoughts and prayers.
buffy palmer
May 20, 2014
you will me well missed. love Buffy.
May 20, 2014
dear skumin family. i am so sorry for your loss. you all are in my thoughts and prayers. he was a wonderful man. i remember as a little girl my friend and i would put on his paints. i had one leg and she had the other. as kids all of the barnes kids and skumins always had a blast. he will be well missed. love and miss all . BUFFY !
Donnie & LouAnn Corellis
May 20, 2014
Dear Skumin Family,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family. John was such a wonderful man. May all your memories bring you peace at this time.
Marcia Viner
May 20, 2014
Terry and family so sorry for your loss. I have many happy memories of our time together and feel so fortunate to have had you and John as friends. May he Rest in Peace. Prayers for all.
Kathleen Ahearn
May 20, 2014
Terry and family, My sincere condolences. I will always have fond memories of 'Big John' from Hampton Beach and Daytona. He was a big man with a big heart.
Bruce & Sherry Pierce
May 20, 2014
Dear Skumin family,
Our deepest sympathies at the death of John. We remember him as a man that loved people from all walks. A man that enjoyed life.
Linda Fischer
May 20, 2014
Sincere sympathy to the family. Remembering long ago cruising together to the Caribbean.(1984) John had a video recorder - so large - not like today. Everyone thought he was a TV man. We got into the hotels and beaches, all following "big John". He was a lot of fun, and hope the memories of all the years help at this difficult time.
Linda and Ray Fischer
Kim Scott
May 20, 2014
John, I am very sorry for the loss of your father. May you take comfort in the memories you have with him. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Russ Blake
May 20, 2014
Andy and family soory to hear of Johns passing. Spent many a nites at the valley ( he was usually bustin on us) laffing and just being the nice guy he was....he will be with his buddy Tony now. We called him our friend.
Edwina Mello
May 20, 2014
Sorry to hear about your loss. John was such a nice man. I only knew him from Bingo, but he was always a cheerful hello.
don leblanc
May 20, 2014
to the Skumin family very sorry to read of John passing he was a great man and friend rest in peace my friend
Joy Mason
May 20, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time.
kevin mccormick
May 19, 2014
my thoughts are with you
DENISE CRAVISH
May 19, 2014
will miss you deeply
RIP buddy
michael schindler
May 19, 2014
To the Skumin family our hearts go out to you all, John was like a father to me and I will really miss him. I feel blessed to have known him, he was a good man with a large heart. if there is any thing I can do for you all let me know.
Our deepest sorrow, Michael, Lucy, Mic and Keith Schindler.
DENISE CRAVISH
May 19, 2014
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE SKUMIN FAMILY,ALONG WITH MY GRANDMOTHER
May 19, 2014
my prayers go out to the hole Skumin family will be missed
Donna Bass
May 19, 2014
RIP Uncle John.Love you
Donna Bass
May 19, 2014
RIP Uncle John.So many memories of you growing up.You were my God Father,and a great Uncle.Thoughts and Prayers are with Aunt Terry,Nana and all the kids and grandkids.Love you and miss you.Love Donna
Martha Durfee
May 19, 2014
Sincere thoughts to the Skumin family from the Lanesborough Durfees. Norm and Martha Durfee. Mims, Florida
Kathryn Grady Tassone
May 19, 2014
To the Skumin family: John was a friend and co-worker of my dad. I wanted you to know that John's enthusiastic gesture to take our family snowmobiling every winter when I was very young left fabulous memories and a lasting impression on me. Now as an adult I reflect and see it as a thoughtful and kind deed from a very generous man. Thank you, Mr. Skumin, for taking us on those great rides around Mount Greylock!
HELEN AND ALVIN YENOF
May 19, 2014
OUR PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY TO SHARON, HANNAS AND THE ENTIRE SKUMIN FAMILY
Nancy Spezzaferro
May 19, 2014
To all John Family .Cosmo and Nancy Spezzaferro where lucky to have him in our lives we were blessed for the laughter and strength he had.God bless all of you from your police family and friends.
Ray & Shari Shogry
May 19, 2014
To MRS. Skumin and Family, We are so sorry to hear of Johns' passing. I worked and laughed with John for many of my 30 years at 39 Allen ST.!! He will be missed We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Ray & Shari Shogry
Susan Depson-Saldo
May 19, 2014
John Jr. & family, my thoughts & prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Shirley Stickney
May 19, 2014
My deepest sympathy to Terry and family. John was a wonderful fun person and will be missed by all his bingo friends in Florida.
May 19, 2014
Terry and family, so sorry for your loss, John was a great guy and will be sorely missed. Connie and Fran Wojtkowski
Marilynn & Larry Gallup
May 19, 2014
My husband and I are very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man. We have known him since he was a police officer. We are members of the Piston Poppers. He will be greatly missed by all who have the pleasure and honor of knowing him.
Karen Armstrong-Covel
May 19, 2014
Dear Mrs. Skumin & Family, Please accept out deepest condolences.
Karen Armstrong-Coveel & Peter Covel
FRANCIS "GUS" SAVKO
May 19, 2014
John was John. And I should know.
Liked by all and like myself, we will miss him.
Sgt "Gus" Savko
Pete & Nancy Picone
May 19, 2014
Rest in peace John,say Hi to all our Drum Corps friends up there.You will be missed, GOD BLESS.
Ken & Patty Rivers
May 19, 2014
With deepest sympathy on the passing of John.
pete and nancy picone
May 19, 2014
rest in peace john,say hi to our drum corp friends up there. you will be missed,God bless
Mary Anne Cecchetto
May 19, 2014
Dear Mrs. Skumin & Family - I am terribly sorry to hear of this sad news. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Mary Anne Cecchetto
May 19, 2014
Working with John for 32 years was a pleasure. Remember the good old days when we went snowmobiling.
John and Hulda O'Neil
May 19, 2014
GREAT GUY GREAT FRIEND WILL MISS YOU JOHN WE HAD A LOT OF FUN TOGETHER
Russ Humpphrey
Paul Massaro
May 19, 2014
John was a great friend to my dad, Ralph and after my dad's passing John would call to check and see how my mom was doing. John was a great friend and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with John's family.
Dave Pannozzo
May 19, 2014
To the Skumin family, I'm so sorry to hear of John's passing. I always enjoyed talking to him when I saw him walking the beat on North Street during my childhood years. Many great memories. A true family man.
Hannes Klein
May 19, 2014
“Nothing you love is lost. Not really. Things, people–they always go away sooner or later. You can't hold them anymore than you can hold moonlight. But if they've touched you, if they're inside you, then they're still yours. The only things you ever really have are the ones you hold inside your heart.”
We will miss you Dad
We will miss you Opa
Ava, Gavin, Sharon & Hannes
mike & christine bianco
May 19, 2014
John,
We will miss you, and your easy going attitude.it was a pleasure to work wih you, and have you for a friend . May you rest in peace with the lord.
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