John Donat Skillen
August 13, 1937-July 29, 2023
With broken hearts and deep sorrow, the family of John Donat Skillen announce his peaceful passing at home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
John was born in Dryden where he resided his entire life working, volunteering but most importantly raising his family and building everlasting friendships.
John worked as a pipefitter at the Dryden Pulp and Paper Mill retiring in 1997.
He was a dedicated member of the St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. In 1955, at the age of 18, he became a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He met the love of his life, Erna Skillen (Kropf) on a double date in 1961 and the rest was history, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends on June 1, 2023.
To say that John was a sports enthusiast is an understatement. As an athlete he played fastball, hockey (goalie), golf, darts, curling and bowling. He even once bowled a perfect game, pitched a no hitter and skipped an eight ender. John spent many years coaching minor hockey and fastball and was known for his dramatic umping calls. Not all of his spare time was spent in an arena or at the ball diamonds, you could find John spinning the vinyl at a social event, tearing up the dance floor, singing to John Denver, playing shuffleboard, snowmachining or out on the lake fishing. On June 26, 2023 he still managed to out fish both his children.
A loyal fan of the Blue Jays, the Leafs and the Dryden Ice Dogs, however, his favourite teams were the blue and gold Dryden Eagles where he cheered on his children and later on his grandchildren. He never missed a home game and would wait impatiently for the phone calls after away games; often calling numerous times to find out the final score.
John joined the volunteer fire department in 1977. During his 25+ years as a volunteer fireman he received the Fire Services Long Service Medal. He curled at the Fireman’s National six times representing Northern Ontario and was a life member of the Northern Ontario Firefighter Curling Association. However, John will always be remembered by the children as Sparky and for his famous burgers and chili at numerous firehall events.
John’s life was not complete without his friends, Keito, Pope, Ollie, Newsy, Bearskin, Wormy, Beaver and the A&W and fishing crews to name a few. He was the type of man who was always willing to help a friend, and if he was unable to, he loved volunteering others for the job.
Johnny, Dad, Papa, Skilly, Jackie, Bem or Duke it didn’t matter what you called him or even if you had just met him, to know him was to love him. John cherished family the most. He enjoyed large family gatherings with his siblings and family vacations/reunions out west with Erna’s family. The true special moments were Sunday suppers shared with his children and grandchildren which always brought a twinkle to his eyes. The Skillen home was where family gathered to celebrate all holidays and celebrations as well as frequent drop ins just to say hi.
John was predeceased by his parents Jack and Virginie Skillen and sister Phoebe Rigey. John will be lovingly remembered by his wife Erna, daughter Mary-Ann (Bruce), granddaughters Alyssa (Nelson), Haylee (Jake), son John-John (Heather), granddaughter Jessica (Jordan), grandson Nicholas, sisters Theresa, Bunny and brothers Pat and Vinnie.
John fought the good fight for the love of his family.
Visitation will take place from 2:00pm- 4:00pm on Monday, August 7, 2023 at the Dryden Community Funeral Home with prayers starting at 2:00pm.
A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church with Father Alan Campeau officiating.
A Private family interment will follow at the Dryden Cemetery.
If friends so desire donations may be made to the Dryden Go-Getters, 84 St. Charles St., Dryden, ON P8N 1L3, for the completion of the lower-level games room, Dryden Food Bank, 62 Queen St., Dryden, ON P8N 1A4, and/or DHS Athletics, 79 Casimir Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2H4.
Condolences may be posted to www.dcfh.ca
Arrangements entrusted to the Dryden Community Funeral Home,
249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
