Ernest W. Skeates

OXFORD-Ernest W. "Bob" Skeates, 90 of Dudley Road, died Tuesday, December 20 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center. He leaves his wife of 48 years, Nancy J. (Becklund) Skeates; his children, Jayne H. Reynolds and her husband Warren of Thompson, CT, David A. Skeates of Auburn, Steven A. Skeates and his wife Nancy of Oxford, Winifred J. Skeates and her husband Eric Lewtas of Hancock, NH, Lori P. Proulx and her husband David of Dudley, Cheryl E. Skeates and her husband Christopher T. Brunelli of East Norriton, PA, and a daughter-in-law, LeeAnn Haskell, widow of his oldest son, Robert C. Skeates who died in 1997. He also leaves 11 grandchildren: Catherine J. Skeates, Marissa A. (Skeates) Betz, Miranda J. Skeates, Christine M. Skeates, Andrew C. Skeates, Dennis W. Proulx, Alexander D. Proulx, Corinne M. Proulx, John E. Lewtas, Thomas D. Brunelli, Anthony R. Brunelli; one great grandchild, Courtney E.A. Thacker. He leaves a brother, Thomas C. Skeates, a sister Marjorie A.R. Usher; and many nieces and nephews. Three siblings predeceased him, Pearl J. Slater, Arthur J. "Jack" Skeates, and Winifred K.G. Hockman. Mr. Skeates' first wife, Catherine M. (Huether) Skeates, died in 1955.

Mr. Skeates was born and raised in Worcester, the son of Arthur J. Skeates and Jessie R. (Rampton) Skeates, and lived on Southold Road. He graduated from South High School. He served in the U.S. Army in Africa and Italy during World War II, and in the U.S. Air Force Reserves in Roswell, NM during the Korean War. Following his service in the Armed Forces, he settled in Oxford where he lived the rest of his life.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather (known as "Papa" to his grandchildren), and loved gardening, reading, bird watching, fishing, camping and watching the Red Sox. He worked for American Steel and Wire South Works (later U.S. Steel) for 37 years, retiring in 1973. He had a second career as an interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village from 1981 until 2002. He was a member of Grace Church (Episcopal) in Oxford, and the Joel H. Prouty Lodge of Masons. He served as an Oxford Library Trustee from 1982 to 1988, and as an election worker from 1980 to 1999 in Oxford.

The funeral at Grace Church in Oxford will be private. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at the First Congregational Church of Dudley, 135 Center Road, Dudley on Saturday, January 7 at 10:00 AM. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oxford Public Library, 339 Main Street, Oxford, MA 01540-1729. LINDQUIST LUNDIN FUNERAL HOME, 36 Butler Street, Worcester is directing arrangements.