Hinsdale – Larry Eugene Skinner "Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather,
and Brother"
Larry Eugene Skinner, 73, of 1088 Flanigan Hill Rd., passed
away on Monday, May 18, 2020, at his home, with his loving wife and step
daughters by his side, following a brief illness.
Larry was born on December 30, 1946 in Wellsville and was a
son of Ralph H. and Wilma M. Edwards Skinner.
He was formerly married to the mother of his children, Donna Rarey, who
survives. On October 15, 2005, in
Hinsdale, he married his loving wife, Bertha Sakala, who survives.
During his childhood, Larry enjoyed being in 4-H, the 4-H
Horse shows, working on the family horse farm, and being a Boy Scout. He was a 1965 graduate of Portville High
School, where he was a track star and held the record for the fastest time in
the 2-mile. Larry served in the US Army
from February 28, 1966 to February 7, 1969. He served 2 and a ½ years in Germany, where he
was a Military Policeman and earned the rank of Sergeant. Larry earned the Good Conduct Medal. He also fired expert on the M-14 rifle and
marksman on the .45 pistol. On February
8, 1969, he enlisted in the US Army Reserves, where he earned the rank of
Sergeant First Class and served as training NCO for the 2nd Battalion, 98th
Division. After many years of service to
the in the country that he loved, Larry retired from US Army Reserves in 1993.
While in the Reserves, Larry also worked full time for
Cooper Power Systems in Olean for 32 years, until he elected early retirement
to care for his ailing father. He also
worked 9 years as a school bus driver for Hinsdale Central School until he
fully retired.
Larry was a member of the Kinney Hose Volunteer Fire
Department in Westons Mills for many years and was a member of their Fire
Police. In July of 2002, he joined the
Hinsdale, Maplehurst, and Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department. During his tenure, he served as Vice
President from 2007 to 2008, President from 2008 to 2010, and again held the
office of Vice President from 2010 to 2011.
Larry was the Fire Police Captain and co-coordinator of the annual gun
show for many years. He was a member of
the National Rifle Association, a life member of the Hinsdale American Legion,
and volunteered many years for the Annual Falling Leaves Regatta. He was also a life member of the American
Veterans Association (AMVETS Post NY-1), a member of the Olean and Silver
Springs, FL Fraternal Order of Eagles, and a recent member of the Ocklawaha, FL
Moose Lodge.
During his retirement years, Larry enjoyed many winters with
his wife in Silver Springs, Florida.
While in Florida, he was a member of the Ride for Jesus Cowboy Church
and in 2016 was baptized by his dear friend and Pastor, Bud Jenkins, who also
went to be with the Lord earlier this year.
Larry enjoyed attending family reunions, camping, working on projects
outdoors, and taking his wife to dinners and dances at their favorite
spots. Whether you were family, a
friend, or a stranger, Larry was always known to lend a helping hand.
Along with his loving wife, Larry is survived by; 3
daughters, Nicole (James) McPhilomy of Cuba, Amy (Eugene) Williams of Olean,
and Misty Schuman of Allegany; 4 grandchildren; 2 step daughters, Denise
(Martin Matteson) Spears of Olean and Dennelle (Martin) Michalski of Cuba; 4
step grandchildren; one step great granddaughter; 2 brothers, Allan (Deborah)
Skinner and Richard Skinner both of Silver Springs, FL; 2 foster sisters; one
foster brother; a close friend who spent many summers with the family when she
was a child; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear
friends.
Larry was predeceased by his parents, Ralph H. Skinner on
May 27, 2000 and Wilma M. Edwards Skinner on January 8, 2014.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the convenience of the
family at a later date to be announced.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral
Home, Inc.,646 East State Street, Olean.
Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made on Larry's behalf
to the Hinsdale Fire Department, 3832 Main Street, Hinsdale, New York 14743 or
the Hinsdale Food Pantry, 3678 Main Street, Hinsdale, New York 14743.
