Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

ROCKLAND - John H. Skinner, Jr., 85, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Friday, April 15, 2016 at Togus VA Hospital in Augusta.

Born in Rockland, January 29, 1931, he was the son of John, Sr. and Edna Lathrop Skinner. John was educated locally, attending Rockland Schools. No stranger to hard work, John began his working career early, starting with Perry’s Laundry.
At age 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948, serving during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952. Returning to the states, John worked as a truck driver and then began his woodworking career with E. Allen Gordon. Over the years John attributed most of what he knew about woodworking to what he learned from working there.

Throughout his life he worked and traveled to many different places and held several jobs in the construction industry. He worked on various projects, building everything from waste water treatment plants to working on the Wiscasset Bridge. John continued in the construction industry even after he and his best friend, Frankie Cochran, were badly injured and burned in an explosion while working on the Thomaston Water Treatment Plant. The two men spent several months recovering and receiving skin grafts. They have also enjoyed a life-long friendship.
For many years John worked in Boston as a finish carpenter. He was especially proud of the architectural restoration projects he worked on including the courthouse, and other historical institutions throughout the greater Boston area. Returning to the Rockland area in 1985 he took on small projects in the area before retiring.

John loved to be outdoors. Whether it was a good round of golf, a favorite fishing spot or his favorite pastime, family cookouts, he loved it all. In recent years he enjoyed going to the slots in Bangor, dancing in Union with his companion Edith and going for coffee. He loved music and was a gifted musician, often singing, playing the guitar and harmonica.
John spent the last 2 months of his life surrounded by the love and care of the staff of the Togus Springs Hospice Unit. While at Togus he gave everyone he met there a look at the strong independent man that he was. He showed them he could be very funny, quick witted, and more than just a little stubborn. In the words of the people who took such loving care of him, “unique” was most often used to describe him. The care he received at Togus Springs was a blessing to him and to his family.

He will be sadly missed by all who loved him.

Predeceased by 14 siblings; John is survived by his son, John H. Skinner, III of Bremen; his daughters, Susan Root and her husband John, Jr. of Owls Head, Michelle Ames and her husband David of South Thomaston, TJ Kirklian and Sarco of Rockport; his companion Edith Lawler of Rockland; his brothers, Frederick Steeves and his wife Nancy, Leslie Steeves, Wayne Steeves and his wife Carla; his sisters, Ruth Kight, Priscilla Lundevall, Alaide Hooper and her husband James; eight grandchildren, Heather Peterson, John A. Root, III, Michael Root, Travis Ames, Toby Ames, Dustin Sullivan, Anthony Kirklian, Grace Kirklian; one great-grandson Alexzander Ames; his companions daughter and her family, Wendy Lawler-Buretta, Maxine and Kasey Buretta; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 12:00 Noon, Monday, April 25, 2016 at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion, Post No. 1, P.O. Box 582, Rockland, Maine 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.