Stephen Skye

Stephen Skye, 81, of Middletown, NY, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2024 in Goshen, NY. Born in New York City on August 25, 1942, he was the oldest of three brothers. Steve chose the old brick farmhouse in Mt. Hope as his home base for the remainder of his long and productive life. A Life-long learner, having studied philosophy at Harpur College and Queens College, his high intelligence and outgoing personality landed him a position at International Business Machines, in the early days of computing, where he enjoyed a long career working at many locations both in the US and internationally. A frequent flier who required extra passport pages, he especially enjoyed working with his colleagues at IBM UK during his two year overseas assignment in Portsmouth. His managerial and telecommunications skills were put to good use also at ATT when it acquired that part of the business from IBM.
With a keen interest in many subjects, including local history, Steve was instrumental in founding the Neversink Valley Area Museum of History and Innovation in the 1970's on the site of the Delaware and Hudson Canal in Cuddebackville, NY. He stayed on for decades as its President, handling numerous tasks, from fundraising and writing articles for the newsletter, to chairing meetings of the Board of Directors, and giving history talks, both at the museum and for other organizations. Steve was also a founding member of Orange Pathways which started as a small group of dedicated individuals who worked with the Orange County Citizens Foundation in the 1980's and 1990's to plan and build the paved Heritage Trail from Goshen to Monroe, which has since been greatly extended as far as Middletown and Harriman. The Heritage Trail is used and enjoyed by thousands of people today. More recently, the Skyes enabled the transfer of much of their property on the Shawangunk Ridge to the Open Space Institute, a non-profit, that will enable the land to be preserved forever.
Stephen beat two types of cancer and a stroke, but he kept on living his life, reading the NY Times every day and living in his country place. He passed away as a result of complications from a fall at home. He leaves behind to carry on his children, Alex, and Rebecca, and their big sister Allison and his granddaughter, Vallentina. He is also survived by his wife of 46 years and fellow world traveler, Jeanne Fiero Skye, many friends and business associates, near and far, a brother, Jeffrey, cousins, brothers, and sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brother Richard and parents, William and Thelma Skye and numerous rescue kitties.
The family appreciates the care and attention from the Sapphire Nursing Home in Goshen are thankful for his caretaker, Judith Brown and the staff at Willcare. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift of charity of your choice in memory of Stephen.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940.
A Service of Remembrance will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Bloomingburg Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc.