George William Skiff

Aiken, S.C.

George William Skiff, age 77, of Aiken, S.C., and formerly of Waterford, Pa., died on Wednesday, May 7, at Unihealth-PAC, in Aiken, where he was recovering from an extended illness.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 1 p.m., at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Waterford. Interment will follow at Waterford Cemetery Association.

George was born on January 4, 1937, the youngest son of the late Alton and Leah Skiff, of Waterford. George, or "Bill," as he was known to many of his friends graduated from the Waterford Academy in 1954, where he excelled in football and baseball, and was married to Sandra J. Wrona on January 15, 1955.

George was an outstanding pitcher in High School, and was signed to a minor league contract, with the old New York Giants baseball club, in 1955. He spent several years in their minor league system, and ascended to the AA level, before his professional career was cut short by a back injury.

By continuing to coach baseball throughout his entire life, George instilled his love of the game in his sons, grandchildren and their friends. He took a Pony League All Star team to the PA State Championship Tournament in 1969, and was inducted into the Fort LeBoeuf (formerly Waterford Academy) High School Wall of Fame in 2006.

George was an avid hunter and fisherman, and also gave generously of his time and talent to his community. He was a volunteer fireman in Waterford, at the Stancliff Hose Company, for over 30 years, and served as Chief in the early 1970s. George also served on the Waterford Borough Council, on the Parks and Recreation Committee.

George was employed as a mason by the Hardner and Doyle Company of Erie, Pa., and later had his own successful masonry company, "G.W. Skiff and Son," with his son James, in Waterford.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra J.; two brothers, Russell Skiff, and Robert Skiff and an infant daughter, Shirley Skiff.

He is survived by four sons, James E. Skiff and his wife Carolyn of Pittsburgh, Pa., David M. Skiff and his wife Ester of North Chili, N.Y., John P. Skiff of Erie, Pa., and Daniel P. Skiff and his wife Karen, of Aiken, S.C.; also ten grandchildren, Benjamin, Hannah and Erin Skiff; Lauren Doyle, Morgan and Jordan Skiff; and Spencer, Alex, Sabrina and Nolan Skiff; two great-grandsons, Keenan and Teague Doyle, a brother, Roger Skiff and his wife, Narita, of Cary, N.C.; and three sisters-in-law, Dolly Skiff , of Madera, Calif., Freida Wrona, of Mill Village, Pa.; Mary Wrona, of Virgennes, Vt. and a brother-in-law, Leo Wrona and his wife Helene, of Salamanaca, N.Y.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.georgefuneralhomes.com.

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