Obituary for Ray Mitchell Skinner
Avon - Passed away peacefully on December 19, 2019 at age 73, while surrounded by his children at home, following 12 months of treatment for cancer.
Born in North Hornell, NY in 1946, Ray graduated from Hornell High school in 1964. After his college graduation from Brockport State College, he was drafted into the United States Army. Upon his return from overseas, he studied his post graduate work at both Brockport and other surrounding Rochester-area colleges. He married in 1975 and moved to Avon the following year.
Ray was recently predeceased by his beloved brother John M. Skinner (Diane Walsh) Hornell, NY and niece Shaun Bellitto (Robert Bellitto) Hamburg, NY. Previously predeceased by his father Merritt (Matt) Skinner and mother Frances (Spink) Skinner; nephew John (Jay) Skinner; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Galley.
Ray is survived by his wife, Marcia (Bannister) Skinner of Dansville, NY; son, Aaron Skinner (Lauren Skinner) of Bel Air, MD; daughter, Arianne Skinner of Richmond, VA; grandsons Augustus Ray Skinner and Justus John Skinner; sister Marla Galley (Allan Bergeson) of Jamestown, NY; brother Lee Skinner of Allenspark, CO; as well as two sisters-in-law and four brothers-in-law, and their spouses; and 70+ special nieces and nephews.
Ray was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War; having served with the 9th Infantry Division, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, and the 101st Airmobile Division. Following his service, he worked for the New York State Government, with the last several years working at the Office of Medicaid Inspector General. He retired in 2009 after 37 years of service.
Over the years, Ray found numerous opportunities to give back to the community through various organizations and activities. He was a member of Avon VFW Post 5292, the American Legion Post 294, and he Rochester Vietnam Veterans of America-Chapter 20.
To his children, Ray was their rock, their guide, and their hero. He lived his life like he taught his children; “Leave things better than you found it,” for which the world is better than he found it because of his kindness, compassion, service, and love he so generously gave everyone.
Family and friends are invited to call Friday, December 27, 2019 from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home 350 Genesee Street, Avon. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Noon with food/beverages to follow until 4:00PM at the Avon Inn. A private burial service will be held at a later date for close family and friends in Avon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to any reputable organization involved in cancer research and/or treatment, or the Avon Veteran’s Hall, 5480 Avon-E Avon Road, PO Box 132 Avon, NY 14414.
Born in North Hornell, NY in 1946, Ray graduated from Hornell High school in 1964. After his college graduation from Brockport State College, he was drafted into the United States Army. Upon his return from overseas, he studied his post graduate work at both Brockport and other surrounding Rochester-area colleges. He married in 1975 and moved to Avon the following year.
Ray was recently predeceased by his beloved brother John M. Skinner (Diane Walsh) Hornell, NY and niece Shaun Bellitto (Robert Bellitto) Hamburg, NY. Previously predeceased by his father Merritt (Matt) Skinner and mother Frances (Spink) Skinner; nephew John (Jay) Skinner; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Galley.
Ray is survived by his wife, Marcia (Bannister) Skinner of Dansville, NY; son, Aaron Skinner (Lauren Skinner) of Bel Air, MD; daughter, Arianne Skinner of Richmond, VA; grandsons Augustus Ray Skinner and Justus John Skinner; sister Marla Galley (Allan Bergeson) of Jamestown, NY; brother Lee Skinner of Allenspark, CO; as well as two sisters-in-law and four brothers-in-law, and their spouses; and 70+ special nieces and nephews.
Ray was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War; having served with the 9th Infantry Division, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, and the 101st Airmobile Division. Following his service, he worked for the New York State Government, with the last several years working at the Office of Medicaid Inspector General. He retired in 2009 after 37 years of service.
Over the years, Ray found numerous opportunities to give back to the community through various organizations and activities. He was a member of Avon VFW Post 5292, the American Legion Post 294, and he Rochester Vietnam Veterans of America-Chapter 20.
To his children, Ray was their rock, their guide, and their hero. He lived his life like he taught his children; “Leave things better than you found it,” for which the world is better than he found it because of his kindness, compassion, service, and love he so generously gave everyone.
Family and friends are invited to call Friday, December 27, 2019 from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home 350 Genesee Street, Avon. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Noon with food/beverages to follow until 4:00PM at the Avon Inn. A private burial service will be held at a later date for close family and friends in Avon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to any reputable organization involved in cancer research and/or treatment, or the Avon Veteran’s Hall, 5480 Avon-E Avon Road, PO Box 132 Avon, NY 14414.