Christopher Charles Skambis Sr.

1922 - 2019

Christopher Charles Skambis Sr. obituary, 1922-2019, Winter Park, FL

BORN

1922

DIED

2019

FUNERAL HOME

Christopher Skambis Obituary

97, of Winter Park, Florida, died Thursday, November 7, 2019 at his home. Chris was born in Yorkville, Ohio on May 15, 1922, but was raised and educated in Boston, Massachusetts. Growing up in the depression had a profound effect on Chris. His father gave him an old handsaw, which was likely the genesis of his woodworking hobby in later years. Chris then found discarded orange crates in the back alleys near his home and built a shoeshine box, roaming the streets of Boston and offering shoeshines for a nickel. He would take the money home to help his parents make ends meet. Upon graduating from Mechanic Arts High School, Chris worked at General Electric in Lynn where he was a mechanical draftsman and completed one year of study at Northeastern University. On November 6, 1942, Chris enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He served as a flight engineer on various military aircraft, principally in Pratt, Kansas and Alamogordo, New Mexico, testing new and reconditioned B-17s, B-24s, B25s, and B-29s. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on March 1, 1946 and later received his Second Lieutenant's commission while in the reserves.

After the war, Chris returned home to Boston and married the love of his life, Anne Haritos on May 12, 1946. He also completed his bachelor's mechanical engineering degree at Northeastern and he and Anne moved to Marion, Massachusetts where Chris worked as a mechanical engineer for Acushnet. Chris and Anne remained married until Anne's death on January 7, 2014, as a result of complications from Alzheimer's. Chris remained devoted to Anne as the fog of Alzheimer's enveloped her and continued to count the years of his marriage even after her death. Their first two children, Catherine Anne (1949) and Elaine Christine (1951), were born in Massachusetts. When opportunity knocked, Chris moved his young family to northeastern Ohio where he began a career at the Ohio Rubber Company division of Eagle-Picher. While there, in 1953, Chris and Anne added their third child (a surprise in every sense of the word), Chris, Jr., to the family.

Starting on the drafting board doing mold design, Chris advanced up the ranks to become the General Manager of Ohio Rubber's main manufacturing facility in Willoughby, Ohio. Along the way he obtained a second bachelor's degree in business administration from Fenn College (now Cleveland State University) and, most proudly, completed the Harvard University Advanced Management Program in 1965. Chris left Ohio Rubber in 1966 and became accomplished at turning around struggling rubber and plastic manufacturing operations. He accomplished those turnarounds without being a "hatchet man," instead using his depression experience to pinch pennies and by being an incredible sales advocate for the companies. Chris could visit a potential customer, listen to their needs, and design and price a part on the back of a napkin. He also made a point of arriving at the plants he managed at the morning shift change so he could personally greet and speak with each factory employee.

Chris and Anne's lifelong best friends were Lonnie and Lida Mae Heath of Mentor, Ohio with whom they enjoyed many good times and travels including camping with the all their kids. Chris created many cherished items with his woodworking, ranging from small jewelry boxes to corner cabinets, simple kids toys and even a wooden rocking horse, named Peanut Butter by his granddaughter. Having become interested in electronics while in the service, Chris also found time to earn his amateur radio license, ultimately achieving its highest licensing level, Extra Class. Notwithstanding all of these work, educational and hobby activities, Chris was a great father. He attended as many of his children's activities as possible. He would take a redeye flight from the west coast so he could be at games and practices. After retiring, Chris came to Florida, obtained a full general contractor's license and started a homebuilding company with Anne who obtained her residential contractor's license. Together, they built homes in the Tampa area, often performing many of the tasks usually performed by subcontractors who often did not measure up to Anne and Chris's standards.

Chris is survived by his three children, Catherine Cooper (Vernon), Elaine Ayala (J. Antonio), and Chris (Kathleen). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Chris was an engineer, a family man, a thoroughly devoted husband, a master of corny jokes and bawdy songs (although he changed the lyrics until the kids were much older). He missed his wife immensely over the past five years, but he was loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. A memorial service will celebrate his extraordinary life on Monday November 18, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, 7520 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792 (near the corner of Aloma Avenue and Goldenrod Road). In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center, 715 Douglas Avenue, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714 (www.adrccares.org for on line donations).

Published by Orlando Sentinel from Nov. 12 to Nov. 13, 2019.
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What a great and productive life I know his family is proud and thank you for your service.

November 16, 2019

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Memorial service

2:00 p.m.

Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home

7520 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL

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Baldwin-Fairchild Goldenrod/Winter Park Funeral Home

7520 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792

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