Obituary of Wallace Richard Skinner

Wallace Richard (Wally) Skinner was born on September 10th, 1940 in Sydney, NS, to Wallace James and Olive Frances Skinner (nee Bain), and passed away on January 29th, 2024.  He was the oldest of seven, Carl (Razia), Sandra (Gordon, deceased), Debbie (Norman), Donald (Linda), Jane (Steven), and Robert, who passed away in childhood.

In 1966 he married Judy (nee Russell) from Lewisporte and she was the love of his life, even beyond her passing in 2020.  They met at Mount Alison University, classes of 62 and 65, a place they both made lifelong friends.  Judy brought him to Newfoundland and it suited him well.

They had three daughters, Sonya (Gabrielle), Andrea and Alison (John).  Wally considered raising his girls with Judy to be the best years of his life.  He had three grandsons, Yuri Wallace, Brad and Brant. Wally had five step grandchildren, Angela (Mark), Jessica, Erika (Rick), Joey (Isabel) and Rebecca and six great grandchildren, Bella, Max, Avery, Linden, Cole and Lyra.

Wally spent his career as a Wildlife Biologist with the province, and enjoyed the co-workers, researchers and the others he met.

With dedicated others, Wally was instrumental in the Pasadena Ski and Nature Park, especially in securing the beautiful chalet, the land, and setting trail routes, and was made a member of the Cross Country Newfoundland & Labrador Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Atlantic Agricultral Hall of Fame and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture Hall of Fame for his work developing Newfoundland honeybee stock.  He instilled a love of bees and honey in his daughters and many others.

It was one of his greatest pleasures to walk by his bees and vegetable garden 365 days a year, and he said it taught him things and made him appreciate natures wisdom.  This fall, Wally cut out a quote “I tell you, there is no death; not even sleep. We only pass from one season to another.  We must be patient with life, for it is eternal.”

Cremation has happened and there will be a visitation at St. David’s Anglican Church in Pasadena on Friday, February 2nd from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm.  Later in 2024 there will be a small ceremony when his ashes are interned with Judy’s at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Wally’s name to the Pasadena Ski and Nature Park (e-transfers to pasadenaxc@gmail.com or dropped off at the visitation or ski club) will be used for a special project.