Hoosick Falls – It is with heavy hearts that the large and loving family of John Michael Skorupski shares the news of his death.
John was a loyal and hardworking man who loved his family and his life. Born in Cambridge, NY, John lived in Hoosick Falls, Cambridge, Fox Hollow and Babcock Lake, NY, which has always been a touchstone for John’s entire family. Some of John’s happiest days were spent there, as well as at his hunting camp at Bear Swamp and sailing tropical waters with his lifelong friend, Capt. Lance.
Having spent some of his earlier years in Florida, “in retirement” John moved to Pine Island where he owned and operated the Olde Fish House Marina. With the help of his wife, Ginny, his son, Tom and Tom’s wife Jessie and his sister Margaret, it became a thriving business and hub for Pine Island fishermen, artists and musicians. This was the norm for John. In the late 60s, John partnered with Jack Everett, a true friend and mentor, to create Florida Citrus Centers, his first business, followed by his own contracting business, hydro power plant, antique shop, and furniture repair and restoration business.
John was a natural born and self taught mechanic who, in his lifetime, owned machines of every description – not just cars and trucks but motorcycles, tractors, bulldozers, backhoes, dump trucks, boats and an airplane.
To John, there were no strangers. Wherever he lived, everyone seemed to know him. Approachable and fun loving, John enjoyed a good joke and a great story. He never held a grudge. Helping others was second nature for him and never a problem because he owned a tool for every task. He will be greatly missed by the many who will no longer be able to use “Dial A Dad/Brother/Uncle/Friend” to get advice on everything from home and car repair to life skills.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Zita Skorupski.
From his father John inherited a lifelong love of fishing, hunting, and outdoorsmanship as well as the priceless quality of integrity.
From his mother John learned to appreciate antiques and fine things which led to numerous collections ranging from cast iron implement seats and weathervanes to antique violins and bows.
In addition to his wife of 47 years, Ginny Bearup Skorupski, John is survived by three children, Edmund, Stacia and Tom (Jessie) and eight grandchildren, Eli, Anna, James, Jack, Eva, Steve, Stella and Everett, four sisters, Janice, Anne (Dan), Margaret, and Manya (Brett) one brother, Stephen, many beloved nieces and nephews and a cohort of in-laws who were also friends. Of his children and grandchildren, John was especially proud.
John lived his life to the fullest and was the captain of his own ship. He would say, “Grieve for me – but don’t let it hang you up.”
An early summer memorial gathering is planned in Hoosick Falls; date to be determined.
To honor those who supported and cared for John and his family, donations can be made to the Gabriel House at Mayo Clinic – gabrielhouseofcare.org.
The family requests that those who loved John give consideration to becoming organ donors.