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John Stephen SKAKANDY Jr.

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John SKAKANDY Obituary

Published by Palm Beach Post on Feb. 10, 2019.

John "Jay" Stephen Skakandy, Jr., husband, father, brother and friend to all, passed away on February 2, 2019, in Anderson, NC, leaving behind his beloved wife, Toni Lee (Donofrio) Skakandy. John, of Irish descent, was born in Red Bank, NJ on August 2 - forget the year, the Irish do not tell the first born son of Jack Stephen Skakandy, Sr. and the late, Nancy Meade Skakandy gallantly fought the fight against cancer. His continued struggle was overshadowed by his will to live as he maintained there was something more he needed to contribute. During this battle, he allowed progressive experimental treatments to be administered to him in an effort to further the cause to eradicate this disease from mankind. John, leaves on this earth his beloved wife of 24 years, Toni Lee (Donofrio) Skakandy, one son, John Stephen Skakandy III, his father Jack Stephen Skakandy, two brothers, Robert Meade Skakandy and Stephen Conway Skakandy. John was a technological pioneer and innovative computer developer who initiated computer based TTY systems for the deaf in the early 80's, designed and built custom computers, bata tested new software before being released to the market while also developing international gaming programs and software. John will begin his journey to the Isle of Green after having his ashes scattered in to the Gulf Stream off of Jupiter, FL. In lieu of flowers please provide donations to Anderson Free Clinic, 414 North Fant Street, Anderson, SC 29621.

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Recent Activity

December 22, 2024

paul sniffen posted to the memorial.

October 30, 2019

DOA Moody posted to the memorial.

May 2, 2019

Someone posted to the memorial.

16 Entries

paul sniffen

December 22, 2024

Mr Skakandy was our teacher in Red Bank HS

DOA Moody

October 30, 2019

I just learned of this news. I am terribly sorry for your loss. I had played in LP for some time and knew him well and chatted alot with him. An awesome guy. aka doa moody. fairwell my friend.

May 2, 2019

Hello,
My name is Bob Skakandy,

I am Jay's younger (middle) brother. I thank everyone for your kind writings about my Big Brother.

Bless You All.

Bob

March 25, 2019

John and I became good friends, talking on Skype almost daily...his technical knowledge was outstanding, and his love for life and people was contagious. My heart is heavy with sadness, but we spoke often about what comes after, and I know he's soaring in that beautiful blue light...wave at us if you pass this way, Clone :)

Dave Everitt (Strummer Skytower)

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Linda Diva

March 10, 2019

Dear John, allthough i had left virtual worlds a while ago i felt these last weeks something was wrong and started to search for you and found out today that you had passed away. You touched my life by just being you, you tought me a lot, we laughed a lot and i will cherish the times we spend together in virtual reality in my heart. I wish his family and friends strength. Linda Diva (dutch) in all Worlds.

JAMES CHARLTON

March 10, 2019

WE NEVER MET IN REAL LIFE, HOWEVER, WE MET ON THE VIRTUAL PLANE AND MADE A STRONG CONNECTION. JOHN WAS A INTELLIGENT MAN WHO SHARED WHAT HE LEARNED AND KNEW AND WAS NOT AFRAID TO DO SO. HE, IN TURN, TAUGHT ME THINGS I MAY HAVE NEVER KNOWN AND FOR THAT I AM THANKFUL TO HAVE MET HIM IN THIS WAY AND SHARED WHAT WE DID. MAY HE REST IN PEACE? YOU SIR SHALL BE MISSED.

wendy Kussmaul

March 9, 2019

I will always remember Clo fondly, He gave me a home and taught Me a lot..He always made me laugh..he will be deeply missed..but always carried with me..RIP Clo...

Cherry Red & Eremite

Ayde Ortolan

March 9, 2019

Today I experienced a double sensation, the sadness of knowing John's departure and the joy of the opportunity to know him. In my brief passage through the virtual world Lost Paradise, created by him, I was able to live unforgettable moments with him and all Grid users. I admired John's dedication to keeping the servers in perfect working order, not only in LP Grid, but also all the other Grids that were under his responsibility, in their servers. Despite his attentive look at the machines John found time to share his a clear vision of life and death, and also his humorous way of being that often bothered me when he had bouts of coughing during his coughs, how much scares you gave me John lol. I am grateful for everything you taught me, I am grateful for all the respect and generosity that demonstrated the Brazilian community that was in LP Grid. I am grateful for all the laughter and dreams that it provided to me while Lost Paradise Grid was my home . Whenever I hear Pink Floyd I will remember you with affection and smile, even though I still disagree (The best band is U2 lol) My admiration for you increased reading details about your real life. Rest in peace John and I hope to meet you again, in Paradise. My embrace to all family and friends
Cherry Red Resident (Ayde Ortolan) 2016 / Lost Paradise Grid

Merrie Schonbach

March 8, 2019

I am so sorry for your loss, I knew John, his OpenSim Grid Lost Paradise was one of the first I joined and I helped to build a few regions for him.

I am a 2 time cancer survivor so know how terrible this is. My thoughts go out to John's family and friends and he has many.

Your friend

Harriet Humes

March 5, 2019

Hi My name in Lost Paradise was Spoiled Diva Carissa. John's world was the 1st one I came to in opensim. I had a great time with him. His sense of humor was the best around. I learned a lot from him. I just found out today he passed away. I had a feeling something was wrong. He is one of the best computer geeks I know. Love that guy. When ever he was around you know he was going to be the life of the party. There's was always good times. I will miss him. My love, prayers and condolences go out to all his family and friends. May God comfort you all.

March 5, 2019

i had a 30by30 sim in lost paradise i felt some how john would win this battle but i guess God had a different plan but i wont say good bye for ever just until God calls me home i would love to keep some of lps memories alive but my grid teens are allowed so i am careful about opening hyper grid to ensure the safety of teens while they are playing i run my grid as a family safe minestry and allow church youth groups on it as well

but at least john was the only grid that allowed me to do that and didnt tell me i was crazy and no way a big sim would work started with 8by8 and kept going higher as we saw the server stayed stable that is what made lost paradise special to me

March 5, 2019

i had a 30by30 sim in lost paradise i felt some how john would win this battle but i guess God had a different plan but i wont say good bye for ever just until God calls me home i would love to keep some of lps memories alive but my grid teens are allowed so i am careful about opening hyper grid to ensure the safety of teens while they are playing i run my grid as a family safe minestry and allow church youth groups on it as well

but at least john was the only grid that allowed me to do allow teens on my sim and that and didnt tell me i was crazy and no way a big sim would work started with 8by8 and kept going higher as we saw the server stayed stable that is what made lost paradise special to me

March 5, 2019

I am homerun touchdown in lost paradisce i was the one with a 30by30 sim which every one said i was cray it cant be done but no john said lets try it and see and worked its way up to a 30by30 in face i would love to keep some of the lp memorys alive on my grid but as i did in lost paradise and allow teen agets to come and i use my sim or now grid as a chirstian based minestry safe for the whole family
i known for a while john was sick i prayed every day that he would win this battle but i guess the lord had a different plan i wont say this a good bye its just a temp sepration until the lord calls us home.

A location on the Lost Paradise virtual world.

Maria Korolov

March 5, 2019

John Skakandy was a pioneer in immersive virtual worlds, having founded the Lost Paradise virtual world in 2011. Thousands of people have visited his world, which, in 2012, was ranked as most loved by its residents, who cited its community feeling and the support they got from the owner.

Skakandy's world, Lost Paradise, also offered free virtual land, helping newcomers to virtual worlds find a new a home in the metaverse.

He made a difference, and he will be missed.

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