Robert Henry Skelley IV

SKELLEY, Robert Henry IV Age 80, of Sunapee, NH, died peacefully, Wednesday morning, April 6th, at home. He was born in Melrose, MA in 1930; the son of Robert H. Skelley III and Roberta (Morse) Skelley. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1948 and was a graduate of Northeastern University, Class of 1953. Bob served as Quartermaster and Private First Class in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Johanne (Schumaker) Skelley in 2010, whom he had married in 1953 and with whom he enjoyed over 50 years of loving marriage. Johanne and Robert made their home in Lynnfield, MA for 30 years where they raised five children. Since 1986 he has resided in their family home on Lake Sunapee. Bob was the owner of Stoneham Lumber Company in Stoneham, MA. During his days as a lumber dealer, Bob was very active in industry organizations, serving the Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers Association in numerous capacities, including President, First Chairman of the Legislative Committee, and the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association as Director. He was also a member of the Lynnfield Lodge of Masons since 1962, and a member of the Aleppo Shrine since 1984. Bob was a member of the Board of Directors for Stoneham Bank for 40 years, serving as Chairman of the Board for the past 18 years. He was a hands-on Chairman and unofficial good will ambassador for the bank, making the trip from Sunapee, NH to Stoneham every Tuesday and Thursday; a trip he looked forward to with great anticipation. Bob was a fantastic cook, a natural born leader, the quintessential organizer, and a debonair gentleman. His two greatest passions in life were his family and serving the community. He was deeply committed to both the Rotary Club of Stoneham, serving in numerous capacities including President; and the Stoneham branch of the Chamber of Commerce which he formed in 1984 and from which he was awarded the prestigious 2007 Super Hero Award for his tireless efforts on behalf of the town. In 1989 he was named Stoneham Citizen of the Year as well as the Massachusetts Retail Lumber Person of the Year. He was an avid supporter of the Stoneham Boys and Girls Club, the Stoneham High School Athletic Department, the Stone Zoo, Winchester Hospital, the Northeast Metro Regional Vocational School in Wakefield, and the former New England Memorial Hospital. His legacy to Lake Sunapee was co-founding the Lake Sunapee Protective Association to ensure the preservation of water quality and its beautiful shoreline. He also devoted many hours to the Sunapee Methodist Church, serving in various capacities and numerous boards, as well as chief cook for the church's annual Spaghetti Dinner. Recently Bob joined the Sunapee Historical Society, serving on the Board of Directors and volunteering many hours to the restoration of historical glass plate photo negatives. Bob is survived by his daughter, Dianne and her husband Michael Berner of East Haddam, CT, and his sons, Robert H. V and his wife Karen of Colchester, CT, Kenneth and his wife Dorothy of Chelmsford, MA, Douglas of Avon, CT, and Steven and his wife Jane of Lynnfield, MA. He was the beloved grandfather of twelve grandchildren, Breanna, Cassandra, Jon, Elizabeth, Mary Beth, Trisha, Derek, Kurtis, Dean, Olivia, Jack, and Gillian; and two great-grandchildren, Faith and Jade. He was the eldest of six children and is survived by Richard Skelley of Ohio, Alan Skelley of New Hampshire, Dean Skelley of Texas, Roberta Skelley of Massachusetts, and Roy Skelley of Ohio. Friends and family are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 9 at 1:00 pm at the Center Congregational Church, 5 Summer St., Lynnfield, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robert Skelley's name to Stoneham's Rotary Club's scholarship fund. Checks may be made payable to "Stoneham Rotary", c/o Stoneham Bank, P.O. Box 1, Montvale Ave., Stoneham, MA 02180.