Dennis John Skora

Dennis John Skora, 81, a resident of Wappingers Falls, NY, died on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 in Livingston, NJ.
Born on December 2, 1942 in Binghamton, NY, he was the son of the late Sophie and John Skora. Dennis was a graduate of Binghamton High School, attained his Bachelor's Degree from SUNY Cortland, and earned his Master's Degree from SUNY New Paltz.
In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served two years active duty aboard the USS Lexington, where he served as the captain's phone talker during damage control drills and also worked in the Personnel Office. He was honorably discharged from service in 1973.
Dennis was a beloved educator and mentor to others. He taught Social Studies at Wappingers Falls Junior High School where he was a perennial choice as favorite male teacher and won several "Who's Who in Teaching" awards. As stated by a parent, "Mr. Skora was a dynamic and creative teacher and it was a pleasure having my daughter in his class." Dennis finished his career as Coordinator for Social Studies, Foreign Language, and ESL.
He was an avid sports fan and coached Boys and Girls Basketball and Track. Dennis was the life of the party and often served as emcee at retirement parties.
Dennis was a volunteer for Scenic Hudson, Stony Kill Farm (where he also served on the Board), Meals on Wheels, Special Olympics, Town of Wappinger Little League, and was also the Trout Stocking Coordinator for Sprout and Fishkill Creek. He loved fishing and spread this passion to his grandchildren and many area children as he ran summer fishing camps in Wappingers, East Fishkill, and at Stony Kill. Dennis was also a volunteer for the Thomas Macrini Sports Hall of Fame and received the Macrini Award for Special Service.
Dennis was an avid gardener and outdoorsman. He loved reading, trips with friends to the Ausable River, an annual trip to Cooperstown Induction Weekend with his son Kevin and later with his grandson Nicholas, traveling, and NYC theatre trips with Maureen and friends. "Ba" was a loving grandfather who will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife, Maureen Skora. Also surviving are his son, Kevin Skora and his partner Beatriz Beckford of Brooklyn, NY; his daughter, Karen Woros and her husband Martin of Short Hills, NJ; his grandchildren, Nicholas, Colin, and Emma Woros; as well as many other loving relatives & friends.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 28 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 29 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 31 Willow Street, Beacon, NY. Interment will follow at St. Joachim Cemetery, 325 Washington Avenue, Beacon, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), Scenic Hudson (www.scenichudson.org), or Meals on Wheels America (www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org).
For online tributes, you can visit Dennis' Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.