Francis J. Skidmore

Francis J. Skidmore Jr., 58, friend to all Francis J. Skidmore Jr. of Mendham was a man who dedicated his life to his family and to helping others. But he usually found a way to have some fun with the service he provided, friends say.

As a fund-raising gimmick for a local church school, Mr. Skidmore and close friend Steve Tully founded the Mendham chapter of the Raccoon Lodge, a take-off on a similar club featured on the classic TV sitcom, "The Honeymooners," starring Jackie Gleason and Art Carney.

Though memberships were auctioned off to aid the Church of St. Joseph School, the lodge never met and elected no officers. Members, however, did get a raccoon hat and used a secret handshake to greet each other.

"We'd laugh about where we were going to hold our annual meeting for our non-existent organization," recalled Tully. "Sometimes we'd talk about Hawaii. But that was Frank. Whatever he did, he made into a happy time."

Mr. Skidmore, a trader with Euro Brokers the last three years, was on the 85th floor of Two World Trade Center when a hijacked plane struck it on Sept. 11. He was 58. He had previously worked at the World Trade Center for two other financial firms, Yamaichi International and Cantor Fitzgerald.

The school was not the only arm of St. Joseph's to benefit from Mr. Skidmore's benevolence. He was a member of the church finance committee and its Knights of Columbus council. He was also a Eucharistic minister. Every Sunday for the last 20 years, Mr. Skidmore brought communion to a bed-ridden parishioner and even made her part of his family, Tully said.

But his pet project was collecting food and household goods for needy families in Central Appalachia, even putting up those who'd drive up from the South several times a year to gather the donations.

"Frank was a definite advocate for the poor," said the Rev. Kenneth Lasch, St. Joseph's pastor who recalled when Mr. Skidmore encouraged him to try break dancing at local social affairs.

"He loved all people, from the poorest to the richest, and could deal with them on the same level," added Tully.

Mr. Skidmore was also a member of the Parents of Graduates of Delbarton School and raised money for the Academy of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station. He was recently honored for his community service by the Rotary Club of Mendham and Chester. He was active in the Wall Street Charities as well.

A native of Newark, Mr. Skidmore moved to Mendham 22 years ago from Berkeley Heights. He is a graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh who became a Notre Dame football fan and enjoyed a game of golf.

Mr. Skidmore is survived by his wife, Catherine; a sister, Mary Bauer of Toms River; a brother, John of Roselle Park; two sons, Francis III of Marlton, and Patrick of Los Angeles; a daughter, Melissa of Newark, Del.; and stepmother, Patricia Jaekel Skidmore of Short Hills.

A memorial Mass will be offered Saturday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. at the St. Joseph Church in Mendham.