Arthur Paul Skillin of Lewes, Delaware, formerly of Montclair, died at home on April 20, 2021. He was 71.
Mr. Skillin was born in Montclair in 1950 to Edward S. and Jane Edwards Skillin. He lived in Montclair until 1979.
He graduated from St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark in 1968. He received a B.A. from Fordham University in 1972, an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and several master’s certificates from George Washington University.
Mr. Skillin worked for over 30 years in contract management in the defense/aerospace industry. He retired in 2015.
He loved helping others and volunteered for many organizations. He was, throughout his life, an advocate for the environment and a champion for the underdog, with a particular attachment to Native Americans.
He was a man of many interests and talents, including photography. He loved bird watching and filled his backyard with bird feeders and birdhouses. He enjoyed body surfing, biking, beachcombing for sea glass and working out.
Mr. Skillin is survived by his devoted wife, Brenda Ross; three children, Rachel Patrick (Brendan) of Safety Harbor, Florida, Adam (Megan) of Freehold, and Noah (Holly) of Washington, D.C.; two stepchildren, Hayley Treadway of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Jeremy Ross of New Bedford, Massachusetts; five grandchildren, Cole and Ruby Patrick, Arlo Skillin, and Lennon and Hunter Treadway; a brother, Edward John Skillin (Mary Lou) of Morristown; four sisters, Elizabeth Flanagan (John) of Clifton, Susan Thuvanuti (Pow) of La Mirada, California, Mary Jane “Mimi” Davis of Brick, and Mary Beth DiGiacomo (Charles) of Verona, and three nieces, Erin, Elizabeth and Nancy.
Anyone wishing to honor his memory can make a gift to one of his favorite causes: the Red Cloud Indian School, Compassion and Choices, Doctors Without Borders, the ACLU or the Sierra Club.
A private celebration of Mr. Skillin’s life will be held for friends and family at a later date.
Arrangements were by Pippin Funeral Home of Camden-Wyoming, Delaware.