In Memory of

George

Skelton

Obituary for George Skelton

Chief P. O. George (Scottie) Skelton, 94 of Lunenburg, died Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at the Veteran’s Unit of Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg.

George was born in Airdrie, Scotland on June 6, 1923 and grew up in an orphanage.

When Britain was sending boys over to work on farms in Canada to replace the young men who were being enlisted for war, George was sent to a farm near Kingston Ontario, where he arrived on the “Athena” in 1938. When he became of age, he managed to get to Kinsgton and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy. As they were in need of cooks, he enlisted and was sent for training on the HMCS “York” in Toronto and then to Halifax, to await sailing for Newcastle upon Tyne to join the crew of the HMCS “Haida”, serving with her until the end of the war. On D-Day, which was his 21st birthday, he was in the English Channel, down in the hold helping to hand up ammunition, and witnessed the sinking of their sister ship, “Athabaska”.

On his return to Canada and having worked his way up to “chef” during the war, he reenlisted and was based at CFB Stadacona, Halifax, where he served on several ships for 28 years until his retirement and then worked personally for several Commodores and Admirals.

He met his wife, Evelyn, when the ship was docked in Plymouth, England and were married August 11, 1945. In February, 1947, Evelyn and his baby daughter arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax with the War Brides.

Upon full retirement they moved to the South Shore. He was a very active member and honorary president of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #23 Lunenburg, where he was involved with the Poppy Campaign and always participated as leader in the Remembrance Day “Memories” night at the Community Centre. He will also be fondly remembered for always arriving bright and early on New Years Day to prepare the “MooseMilk” for the reception later that day. As an avid dancer, wherever he went, if there was music, he was the first on the floor and never failed to get the whole crowd moving.

He was also a devoted member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, where he served in the church choir, Session, and faithfully supported the many activities within the church. George deeply loved his community of Lunenburg and proudly seized every opportunity to promote it.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda Leduc, Alberta; grandchildren, Angela, Alex, Tiffannie, Nicole; three great granddaughters and five great grandsons; three great-great grandchildren and companion, Annette Dibbin of Blue Rocks.

George was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy #3, Lunenburg.

A Memorial service will be held Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Lunenburg, Rev. Dr. P.A. (Sandy) McDonald, officiating. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Lunenburg.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church or the Veteran’s Units of Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital.

A personal thank-you to Annette Dibbin for being there for George these past number of years. Thank you to the staff at the Veteran’s Unit of the Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, for all your care and to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 23, Lunenburg and members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church as well.

www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca