Paul Skorupsky

Paul Skorupsky, 91, a resident of Town Farm Road in Wilmington, Vermont, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at the Albany (NY) Medical Center. The son of the late Frank and Katherine (Maker) Skorupsky, he was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on January 29, 1927. Paul married the former Ruth Gavlick in Wyoming, PA on June 12, 1948. He served his country in the US Army during World War II. While living in New Jersey, Paul worked as a refrigeration and air conditioning technician for Johnson & Johnson. He retired after 43 years with the company. Paul loved working with wood and his family and friends were the lucky recipients of many beautiful items and pieces of furniture, including a grandfather clock, which still sits in the corner of his living room, a cradle for his first grandchild, and many beautiful cabinets and tables. His many years working with wood and expertise with home renovation and repair resulted in the building of a beautiful A-frame home, located on a picturesque wooded lot on Town Farm Road in Wilmington, Vermont, where he and his wife Ruth enjoyed many years following his retirement and permanent move from their New Jersey home. Paul's building skills were also visible in the Wilmington arts community, as he helped build sets for the local theater group. Paul was an avid and curious reader. Family and friends rarely beat him in a round of "Trivial Pursuit", as he was knowledgeable on many subjects, from history to current affairs. He also loved the outdoors and winter sports, including ice skating in his early years and cross country skiing well into his 70's. In earlier years, he actively scuba-dived and enjoyed underwater photography and he played in several baseball and softball leagues. Even well into his 80's, he and a Wilmington friend traveled independently to Costa Rica, where he zip-lined and hiked, still active in his later years. Paul had a zest and energy for life unlike most people. Even as he became less physically able, he still looked forward to taking long daily walks down the road and enjoying the many beautiful seasons of Vermont. He also loved exploring new places and cultures. He and his wife Ruth and family and friends traveled to many places over the years, including Australia, Ireland, Greece, and Hawaii's many islands. He enjoyed watching college sports, and followed Rutgers University football. He also loved college basketball. One item on his "bucket list" was to attend a College Final Four Tournament, which he was lucky to "check off the list" after attending the tournament in Seattle in the late 1980's. Ruth and Paul also had many enjoyable times following their different favorite teams, with Paul rooting for the Yankees and Ruth for the Red Socks. Even as Paul became less physically able, he still looked forward to taking long walks down the road and enjoying the many beautiful seasons of Vermont. Paul leaves his wife of 70 years, Ruth, of Wilmington, son and caregiver Kenneth Skorupsky of Wilmington, son Gary Skorupsky of Olathe, Kansas, daughter Gail Huneryager of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and grandchildren Stacey Mitchell and Ryan Waters. Son Ken came to Vermont to live with them as they became older and Paul's overall health declined and he became less physically able. He enjoyed Ken's company and so appreciated his care. Paul and Ruth's other adult children, Gary and Gail, who live out of state, are so grateful that Ken''s caregiving made it possible for Paul to continue to live out his remaining years in his home in Wilmington. Paul was a communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church. Per his final wishes, there will be no formal services. Paul hoped family and friends will remember him through their many wonderful shared life experiences. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Church in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. Paul was a communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church. Per his final wishes, there will be no formal services.