John C. SKUBEL

SKUBEL, John C.


John C. Skubel, 73, a native of Middletown and a long-time Meriden resident, died August 17th after a nine-year battle with cancer. Skubel, a respected educator and legendary football coach at Middletown High School, leaves his wife Dolores, son Eric, and daughter Kimberly and her husband Joshua Madden of Meriden, their children and John's grandchildren, Olivia, Kristina and Justin. He is also survived by sisters Dorothy Skubel of Florida and Mary Dickinson of Middletown, sisters-in-law Babe Skubel of Florida, and Eleanor Skubel of Middletown. In addition, he is survived by his father-in-law Theodore Mielcarz, his wife's brothers Robert Mielcarz and Philip Mielcarz, along with their wives Sharon Mielcarz and Alison Mielcarz, as well as several nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Louise, and three brothers, Stanley, Joseph and Bernard. Beyond his family, "The Coach" had an extended family of former students and players that span across the United States. These individuals, many from past decades, maintained contact continuously. The family is especially grateful for the outpouring of support from so many that characterized John's final nine years as he fought his illness with uncommon courage and faith. John was an alumnus of Woodrow Wilson High School and Central Connecticut State University and was a football star at both levels. He obtained his sixth year certificate from the University of Bridgeport and began his teaching and coaching career in Stamford and later at Derby High School, where he not only coached football but was the school's head track coach. He stayed active in football as a player for the semi-pro Meriden Shamrocks for several years. He coached at Maloney High in Meriden before returning to his alma mater. At Woodrow Wilson he twice took the Wildcats to state championship football games. When Middletown's two public high schools merged in 1984, John was named head football coach, and his 1984 Middletown High School team went undefeated, won the Class M state title game over Ledyard and was named the state's No. 1 football team that year. That began an eight-year run in which Skubel's teams qualified for four more championship games, winning two over Bristol Central and Berlin High Schools. John was a man for all seasons who cared deeply about all of his students and players and a man whose commitment to his Roman Catholic faith was profound. At his home parish of St. Stanislaus Church in Meriden, he was an active Eucharistic Minister for many years and throughout his own period of illness. Amid all of this, he found time to be an avid fan of the New York Yankees and pursued his passion for golf, yet always made certain that his family came first and spent much time with them in Florida, often taking his grandchildren to Disney World. After retiring from Middletown High, bringing to an end some 35 years of full-time service as a health teacher and a guidance counselor, he became an assistant football coach at Wesleyan University and continued his career in public education in the Middletown Adult Education program.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden. His Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Church, 82 Akron St., Meriden. Everyone is asked to go directly to church. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.stempienfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family will be honored to have donations in memory of John's life be made to St. Stanislaus Church, 82 Akron St., Meriden, CT 06450.