Obituary of Walter Kenneth Skellie

Walter Kenneth Skellie, 78, of Greenwich died peacefully and surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 7, 2017 following a short illness.

Born July 12, 1938 in Cambridge, Ken - fondly known as “Skell” or “W.K.” to his many friends - was the son of Walter J. Skellie and Bertha L. (Hutchens) Skellie.  He was a 1955 graduate of Greenwich Central School and served his country as a member of the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960. For much of his adult life, Ken worked in the dairy farming industry; on the family farm, with Miller’s Livestock Market, and eventually managing his own dairy herd for nearly two decades. For the past 30 years, “Mr. Skellie” enjoyed a second career as a beloved bus driver for the Greenwich Central School District.

Ken married Judith F. Colby on April 20, 1965. She passed away in November 2013.

In addition to his wife and his parents, Ken was predeceased by his brothers, Warren Skellie and Richard Skellie; and sister, Wilma (Richard) Jilek.  Survivors include his daughter, Heidi Eustis of Victory Mills; his son, Christopher (Kathleen) Skellie of Fort Edward; his grandchildren, Jonah, Rebekah, Job, and Hannah Eustis, Mitchell and Luke Skellie; a brother, Donald (Donna) Skellie; a sister, Dorothy (Jan) VanWheele; sisters-in-law, Norma Skellie, Sherry Skellie, Gloria (Bill) Towne and Roma (Mark) Walsh; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Ken enjoyed sports at every level; but he closely followed college basketball (NC Tar Heels), NFL football (NY Giants), and major league baseball (NY Yankees). He loved staking out a spot at a local tavern, watching a game, and enjoying the company of his many friends. Ken also enjoyed spending time with his children and their families, taking great pride in the accomplishments of his six grandchildren and rarely missing any school sporting event in which they participated.

Ken’s greatest legacy is his enormous and varied circle of friends. He loved nothing better than to be in the company of the people he loved, sharing stories, laughing heartily, and of course watching sports. He acquired a second, extended family in his years as a school bus driver - spanning two generations of school kids and their parents. His stories about the school bus are legendary, and will hopefully be passed along for many years to come. Ken’s memory will live on in the countless number of people he counted as friends and family.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Pete, for being with us every day and every step of the way; to all those at Saratoga Hospital who kept Dad comfortable and positive; to every single person we encountered in the ICU, especially our dear cousin Cathy; and to all of Dad’s wonderful friends and family, for their support and love.

Friends may call at Flynn Bros. Inc., Funeral Home, 80 Main St, Greenwich, NY, 12834 on Monday, May 15 from 12-2 PM and 5-7 PM. Services will be held Tuesday, May 16 at 10 AM, at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Following services, the family invites everyone to attend a celebration of Ken’s life at the Greenwich Elks Club. Please bring a favorite photo of Ken to contribute to the photo board.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Ken’s memory be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York, or to the organization of one’s choice.

Online condolences and messages to the family may be made at www.flynnbrosinc.com