Thomas Skola

1943 - 2021

Thomas Skola
November 12, 1943 - January 12, 2021
Miami, Florida - On January 12, 2021, Thomas James Skola, of Coral Gables, Florida passed away at the age of 77. Tom was born on November 12, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio to Fred and Sally (Ziolkowski) Skola. Tom was president of his senior class at John Adams High School, and wrestled and played baseball in high school and college. After graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Rochester, Tom studied at the University of Chile as a Fulbright Scholar and at the University of Madrid. He received his Juris Doctorate from Columbia University School of Law in 1970 and a diploma revalidation from the School of Law of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in 1979. He practiced law for over forty years in New York City, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Miami and was an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law from 1988 until 2008, teaching International Credit Transactions.
Tom founded the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Inc. in 1981 and served as its President and Treasurer. He also assisted in the founding and organization of the Florida-Brazil Institute. Tom was named to the Florida Council on International Education by Governor Chiles in 1993 and was awarded the Order of Rio Branco by the President of Brazil in 1996. He was granted the 2003 Lawyer of the Americas Award by the University of Miami Law School for his contributions in the fields of international and inter-American law.
Tom was a voracious reader and meticulous note-taker, who frequently sent friends and family letters containing articles he had clipped from the numerous publications he read on a daily basis. He was also a quick-witted storyteller and the (self-proclaimed) best rugby player in Madrid during his heyday. His love of adventure and keen interest in language and culture took him on many travels, including to Prague to research his ancestry. Due to Tom's strong work ethic and integrity, many of his business associates and clients became dear friends. Tom cultivated traditions and delighted in his role as the "paparazzi," filming family camping trips and the annual Finger Lake rallies with his college roommates.
Above all else, Tom was a devoted father to his two sons, sharing with them his love of baseball, caipirinhas, and the University of Miami Hurricanes. Tom is survived by his children Joshua (Elizabeth) and Zachary; his granddaughter Edith; his siblings Nancy, Judy Kovach (John), and Timothy (Barbara); and his many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
The family is planning to hold a celebration of life when circumstances allow for a safe gathering. The Thomas J. Skola Memorial Fund has been established by the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida Educational Center to focus on educational and community projects. Should friends desire to contribute to the fund in Tom's honor, information may be found at https://www.brazilchamber.org/thom-j-skola-memorial.