John K. Skelton

SCARBOROUGH, Maine - John Kimball Skelton passed away peacefully at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough on June 7, 2014. We have said farewell to another member of the Greatest Generation.He was born on April 26, 1917, in Lewiston, son of William L. and Madelyn (Kimball) Skelton. He graduated from Morse High School in Bath in 1933, Bates College, B.S. Cum Laude, in 1938 and Bentley College in 1941.Upon the attack at Pearl Harbor, John enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a master sergeant in the 55th Quartermaster Base Depot from 1941 to 1945.He was predeceased by his wife of almost 60 years, Pearl A. Skelton, in 2003.John was involved in banking in Maine and New Hampshire for over 35 years. Among many other accomplishments, he was the executive vice president of Durham Trust Co., president of Franklin Savings Bank and president of Rochester Savings Bank and Trust Company.John loved the outdoors. He was an avid birder and took many wonderful trips with his wife and two daughters in pursuit of this avocation. He was a longtime hiker and was the 99th person to climb all the 4,000- foot peaks in the White Mountains. Then he went back and climbed them on snowshoes! He enjoyed golf and cross-country skiing. He loved Monhegan Island in Maine and made many dear friends on his visits there.John loved an audience and enjoyed acting in many plays throughout his life. He was a resident of Wolfeboro, N.H., from 1978 to 2010 and had many special friends there who helped him greatly in his last years at home. John was truly loved by everyone, had a great sense of humor and took wonderful care of his family and friends.His last 3½ years were spent at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough. The staff was amazing, and he quickly became one of their favorites! There he was affectionately known as "Jack," and his care was exceptional. John is survived by two daughters and their spouses, Janice and Lewis Whitaker of Falmouth, and Martha and Allen Borsh of Kinderhook, N.Y.; a brother, David B. Skelton of York; five grandchildren and their spouses, Cheryl and Mark Downing, Pamela and Russ Harland, Chris and Melissa Durost, Brad and Amanda Taylor, Brian and Melissa Taylor; and nine great-grandchildren, all of whom loved him dearly.We will miss him!There were no calling hours. Services will be private. Some of John's ashes will be scattered on Monhegan Island, and the rest will go along with his wife to their plot at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bath.Memorial donations may be made to the Wolfeboro Senior Center, P.O. Box 91, Wolfeboro, NH 03894.John also loved literature and poetry so we close with this:"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"- William Shakespeare,?8"Hamlet"