Charles E. Skillin Jr.

Charles Edward Skillin, Jr. ("Chuck"), 80, a long-time resident of Ithaca, NY, passed peacefully in hospice after a brief illness, with family by his side, on October 25th, 2025. Born in Portland, Maine, Chuck was the eldest child of the late Dr. Charles E. Skillin and Rita V. Skillin (Roberts). He leaves behind sisters Denise Haines and Louise Coale. His brother, Dana Skillin, pre-deceased him. He married his high school sweetheart, now Andrea ("Andi") McCatherin Sawyer, and together they had four children: Sarah Skillin Woodard (Colin Woodard), Charles E. Skillin, III (Jodi Skillin), Andrew Sawyer (Cathy Stark), and Ian Sawyer (Gina Sawyer). He was also the proud grandfather of Lauren Comerford, Katie Skillin, Aidan, River & Greysen Sawyer, Layne & Corbin Sawyer, and Henry & Sadie Woodard. Chuck attended Cheverus High School, graduated from Greely Institute, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at Marquette University in Milwaukee. He remained a proud Marquette basketball fan for life. He had a long career as a salesman with companies like Burroughs and NCR. The latter brought him and his family to New York State in the early 1970s, where he remained for the rest of his life. He spent his final working years at Cornell University, where he maintained Willard Straight Hall. Chuck found a community in Ithaca. He lived in a retirement village for the last 25 years and became a favorite neighbor to many. He looked out for everyone, was often the first person to welcome a new resident to the neighborhood, and lent a hand whenever needed. Chuck was an integral part of the weekly Euchre game on Tuesdays, where the women shared personal stories and the men teased the women (and each other). You can't tell Chuck's story without mentioning Patches. Patches was given to him when she was just a puppy and truly became his best friend. She went everywhere with Chuck, including on trips to tend to the neighbors' lawns. He had fashioned a small trailer to tow her behind his riding mower (to everyone's delight, including Patches'). Chuck took her death hard, and between that and the pandemic, his spirits waned. His daughter stepped in to help and brought him to Maine just a few short months ago. He hadn't been back to his home state in nearly four decades. Chuck grew up on the ocean and spent much of his teenage years sailing the family's boat and hanging out at the yacht club in Falmouth. (As well as generally being up to no good with his many cousins, so the humorous stories go.) The trip this past July included much time on the water in Portland, Stonington Harbor, and near Acadia. He also indulged in lobster rolls and Amato's Italian sandwiches, foods from his youth that he had greatly missed. The family extends their deepest appreciation to the loving and talented staff of Hospicare and Cayuga Medical Center. Special thanks also to neighbors and friends, Dave & Teresa Bulatek of Ithaca, for their kindness and care. No services are being planned at this time. Chuck wished to have his ashes scattered in Casco Bay (Maine), which will take place in the summer of 2026. Anyone wishing to send condolences to the family can do so by writing Sarah Woodard, 203 Flying Point Road, Freeport, ME 04032. In lieu of flowers, Chuck and his family request that donations be made in his memory to Hospicare.org. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles, please visit our floral store.