Walter F. Skibel

" Walter F. Skibel passed away May 20th at Baystate Medical Center. He was born May 11, 1934 in Holyoke, MA. The son of William A. and Stella Popko Skibel, he was raised in Holyoke and attended local schools, Mater Dolorosa grammar school and Holyoke High School class of 1950. He worked as assistant manager in the Suffolk theater before going into the plumbing business. First with William P. Cain Co. and then in partnership with Francis McCain to form McCain and Skibel Plumbing. From there he started Skibel Plumbing Inc. which was his life's work. Walters' joy in life was his family and all the fine people he met through involvement with the business. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus council #90 and then council #4044 having been a 3rd and 4th degree member since 1953. Also a member of Mater Dolorosa Holy Name Society and Polish Citizen club of South Hadley. Walter was part of the "Luchini's of the Highlands" cultural and debate team where he enjoyed many discussions and more recently helped solve many of the world's problems with the South Hadley Dunkin Doughnuts coffee group. Besides his family he loved good music, fishing, boating, gardening and an occasional gin and tonic. Walter leaves his wife of 57 years, Dorothy (nee Zawadzki) 7 children and 12 grandchildren: William and his wife Donna, their children Jarrett and Avery of Belchertown, Christine and her husband Arthur of Chester, Elizabeth and her husband Francis, their children Sarah, Christopher and Michael of South Hadley, Joanne and her husband Dino, their children Hannah and Isabella of South Hadley, James and his wife Jill, their children Jordan and Jackson of Granby, Michael of West Gardiner, ME and Daniel and his wife Jennifer, their children Emma, Cooper and Hunter of Holyoke. He was pre-deceased by his brother Ted Orson formerly of Granby and Hatfield and leaves his sister-in-law Virginia, nephew Ted Jr. (Joby) and his wife Diane all of Southwick. The family would like to thank Baystate Medical, Davis 7, Springfield One and Wesson 3 for their care and concern during his recent hospital stays. Thanks also to the Wound Care Center at Mercy Medical and Mercy Home Care. In honor of Walter's devotion to the Blessed Mother, attendees are asked to wear something blue. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 27th for 9:00 am to follow to a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Cross in Holyoke. Burial will follow in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 pm at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of the Cross Parish, 23 Sycamore St. Holyoke, MA 01040 or to Mater Dolorosa School 25 Maple St. Holyoke MA 01040 "