Obituary of Neal Skerrett

Neal Skerrett January 29, 1944 – July 18, 2014 Celebrating a Life of Family and Friends, Community and Principles. Neal was born in Brampton, and lived his life in the Town of Fort Erie. He was raised in Crystal Beach on the family homestead of Green Gables, a large parcel of property on Rebstock Road that offered Cabins and Rooms to tourists. His parents Audrey and Phil along with older brothers Garry (Greta), Brian (and the late Mary) and little sister Debby (deceased 1994) worked together to operate the business. It appears this is where the children learned the importance of family and friends and the tradition of service. In 1965, Neal and Elaine (nee Dissette) were married and had 2 children; Carol and John (April). Neal had a goal of providing for his family coupled with a strong work ethic. He was a millwright by trade, but practiced the adage of whatever it took to achieve his goal, often times holding more than one full time job. During his working career, he worked for AirCo (in Niagara Falls New York), ITT (St. Catharines) and operated the ‘other’ family business of Acme Machinery – out of the large Quonset building on Gorham Road in Ridgeway. During the 80’s he formed ISC (International Sign Corporation) which operated successfully for many years. In the late 70’s Neal joined the Kinsmen Club to help raise funds to build a seniors residence. In 1977 the first tenants moved in to the Ridgeway Crystal Beach Senior’s Complex. Although, he didn’t know it at the time – his relationship with the building and more importantly its residents would continue for the rest of his life. He was also a member of 615 Dominion Masonic Lodge. In the 80’s Neal’s focus again turned to community service, with a goal to improve his neighbourhood and town he decided to run for Alderman – and was elected by a landslide vote (that made him so proud). Sidewalks to the newly constructed Crystal Ridge Arena, a much need stoplight on the Garrison at Daytona, sewers into Thunder Bay, and road improvement in the Stevensville area were some of his original goals – which he was successful in achieving. Once on council, his interests and business knowledge directed him to serve on the Town's Business and Planning Committee. Those contributions included the drafting of the Town’s Official Plan, that still impacts life within Fort Erie. Over the years, he played many roles at the seniors building. As CEO - finance applicant screening and rent collection, to fixing a resident’s leaky pipe. Those who lived at 3911 Rebstock Road, found a friend who they could count on in Neal, he would often drive people to appointments, provide a smile or just sit and listen. He greatly relished when the holidays came around. He could be found in the basement kitchen, with an apron on, cooking up a full turkey dinner for the entire building. To encourage his belief that friends are family you pick for yourself and always loving a get-together he established fish Fridays, the end of every month – the whole building would order from the Legion, eat together and celebrated any birthdays that month. He love to go fishing – on Lake Erie or up north on Lake Timiskaming – of course he would always eat his catch. He had an appreciation of paintings – even picking up a paint brush himself, and he often surprised himself at how good things turned out. In the early 2001 The old Boy Scout Camp on 18 acres came up for sale – Neal fulfilled a secret dream he had since he was 20 years old when he and Elaine purchased it. Many family events have been held in that special place. Picnics, Thanksgiving and even a family wedding were hosted there. It is a peaceful quiet place where nature abounds. They say that the only thing you can take with you is that which you have given to others. Neal lived his life the way he wanted. He stayed true to his values and that which he held most dear. Family – his granddaughters, Clara and Rose were the apples of his eye, his children, in which he always believed, his loyal wife of 49 years and his brothers who both shared their own bonds with Neal. In the end a person is only known by the impact they had on others. Please join us in celebrating the life of Neal Skerrett. Visitation will be held at the Williams Funeral Home on Ridge Road in Ridgeway. Tuesday July 22, 2014 from 7pm – 9pm, Wednesday July 23 from 2pm – 4pm and 7pm - 9pm. Funeral Services will be held at St. John's Anglican Church –Ridgemount Road, Ridgeway on Thursday Morning at 11 am. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made at www.canadianpulmonaryfibrosis.ca/