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Peter Nelson Skeen

1968 - 2024

Peter Nelson Skeen obituary, 1968-2024

BORN

1968

DIED

2024

FUNERAL HOME

Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel

318 Church Ave. SW

Roanoke, Virginia

Peter Skeen Obituary

Peter Nelson Skeen

June 27, 1968 - October 21, 2024

Peter Nelson Skeen, 56, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2024, surrounded by his family due to his courageous almost two-year battle with ALS.

Peter was born in Baltimore, MD, to parents Barton Berry Skeen Jr. and Helen Nelson Skeen. At four years old, they moved to Wayland, MA, where he lived until his junior year in high school. These formidable years shaped Peter to the core.

During his time in New England, Peter did everything but stay still. Due to his athletic abilities and aspirations, he played a sport each season including football, wrestling, soccer, and lacrosse. Even when there wasn't a sports event to attend Peter would gather up the neighborhood kids to play hockey on a frozen pond. His love for fitness pushed him to keep going which helped him become a collegiate athlete. Before he attended college, Peter moved to Great Falls, VA due to his father's job. This is where he would meet his future wife, as they had lockers just a few apart in high school. At this time, Peter became an elite wrestler in his area and weight class. He was then able to fulfill his goal and proudly joined the St. Lawrence wrestling team in 1986 for his freshman year of college. While at St. Lawrence, his wrestling team won a national championship forging his legacy while creating lifelong friendships at the university.

Peter was always a natural born athlete, energetic, loyal, strong, and passionate, but his later teenage years honed his leadership qualities where he used them for the rest of his life. At his five-year high school reunion, he was reintroduced to the love of his life, Laura Secord Skeen. Only after six months of dating, Peter proposed to Laura, eager for their future together. Their devoted marriage of over 31 years, including three children, was an inspiration for all. Peter loved his family more than anything and was a dedicated and loyal husband, father, friend, and neighbor. He coached his kids soccer, basketball, lacrosse teams, and was an usher at St. John's Episcopal Church.

Always reliable, Peter was willing to help his family, friends, or neighbors with whatever was needed, always with a smile on his face. His favorite place in the world was Martha's Vineyard, where his family vacationed. Here, he made lifelong bonds with other families on the island. His favorite things to do were watching NFL and College football, tinkering with cars, and playing basketball on Sundays or being there for family and friends.

Peter was predeceased by his father, Barton Berry Skeen Jr., in 2015. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Laura; his children, Ryan, Thomas and Grace; his mother, Helen; and brother, Andrew. He is also survived by many uncles, cousins, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, and nieces.

The Skeen family would like to thank all their family and friends for their generous amount of support and love.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Roanoke, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to ALS.org or CCALS.org. Condolences may be shared with his family by visiting www.Oakeys.com.

Oakey's Funeral Service - Roanoke Chapel

Downtown Roanoke, VA (540) 982-2100

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Roanoke Times on Nov. 2, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Skeen

Sponsored by Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel.

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Harland Howard

May 14, 2025

I worked with Peter in the mid 1990s in Burlington, Vt . He was my boss for a couple years at Crawford and Co. I really never knew a more down to earth guy in my life. When my Company Car broke down a day before I was scheduled to drive to So. Carolina on vacation, he personally went to the dealer explained the situation and had the car fixed so I could go on vacation . In fact I had called him at home the evening when car was damaged ( hinges bent on front drivers door)
Laura answered phone and told me that he was giving his two youngest kids a bath. To my surprise , he finished the bath and came over to my house that evening to check the car problem and start the process of getting me to be able to drive my car the next morning.
I was just blown away by his caring attitude and just plain goodness He moved to Roanoke and we chatted on phone after that but lost touch.
Just recently I went on Legacy for another reason and saw Peter´s Obituary .I was very sad . I have very good memories of him and his decency and thoughtfulness.
My deep condolences go out to his wife Laura and the rest of his family . May he RIP

Dianne Hawley

November 9, 2024

I worked with Peter for Ace in claims, and he was my supervisor for a short time. He was always knowledgeable and helpful and I respected him so much. I was sad to hear of his sickness and of his passing. Please accept my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Sincerely, Dianne Hawley

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

James Sanford

Planted Trees

Stars of Life Standing Spray

Kinga and Tim with family

Sent Flowers

Eternal Friendship Remembrance Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

Ann and Mary Frances

Sent Flowers

Velvet Hill Arrington

November 2, 2024

My sympathies to Peter´s family. He was kind and funny, making the workplace enjoyable. Peter took pride in the company we worked for and was an ethical and caring person. I´m saddened by his passing, I am glad to have known him.

BEVERLY THOMAS JENKINS

November 2, 2024

Peter, a beautiful, brilliant and kind man that I only knew for a short time. But he made a big impression, and I dare say, he did that everywhere he went. With his precious wife, Lolly, I always felt welcomed.

I´m going to miss this funny, endearing family man ... his whit and smile and kindness.

I send my deepest sympathies and condolences to his beautiful wife and family. I wish for you to find peace in the months and years to come. I send you my heart Bevo-

Wayne Kent

November 2, 2024

Laura and family,
So sorry for your loss. Peter was always a loyal person and funny guy and was said very very energetic. I enjoyed getting him fired up in politics just to listen to him come at me with his facts. I am glad he enjoyed his family the past few years as the world was a better place with him in it. He always talked about how proud he was of all of you whenever I was around him. I know he always will be.

Melissa and John Deegan

November 2, 2024

Peter was the most welcoming , kind, considerate, inclusive and all around wonderful friend. Each time John and I would see him, he would light up with his beautiful smile and always reaching out his hand and a hug. He was always such a ray of sunshine and the inconspicuous life of the party.

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Memorial Events
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Nov

9

Service

11:00 a.m.

St. John's Episcopal Church

1 Mountain Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016

Funeral services provided by:

Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel

318 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke, VA 24016

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