GALLUPVILLE — Howard M. “Skip” Skinner, a lifetime firefighter and a member of The Old Men of the Mountain, died after a long illness on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at Ellis Hospital. He was 77.

Mr. Skinner was born on Nov. 10, 1938, in Berne to Kenneth and Gladys (née Zimmer) Skinner.  He attended Berne Elementary School and Schoharie High School. He wed Doris (née Diamond) Skinner on Nov. 23, 1957.

Mr. Skinner served in the United States Army. He had a long career with General Electric as a high crane operator, and retired in 1999 after 36 years.  

Mr. Skinner was a life member of the Gallupville Fire Department. He was also a member of the fire police; the Helderberg Senior Citizens; and the social group Old Men of the Mountain, the meetings of which are chronicled in The Enterprise. Mr. Skinner was a former member of the Esperance Fire Department.

Mr. Skinner also enjoyed bowling, reading, and studying eagles and wolves.

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Mr. Skinner is survived by his wife, Doris (née Diamond) Skinner; his father, Kenneth Skinner, of Gallupville; his three children, Terri-Ann Jeffrey and her husband, Charles, of Gallupville; Shawn Skinner and his wife, Patty, of Berne; and Kathleen Jaqueway and her husband, Mark, of Schoharie; his grandchildren, Samantha, Shari, and Josh Skinner, Kristin Jeffrey, and Jessica Jaqueway; his great-grandchildren, Emma, Alexandra, Ava, and Quinn; his sisters, Leila Vinson, of Tampa, Florida; and Debra Stalker of Central Bridge; his brother, Doug Skinner, of Gallupville; and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

Calling hours were held on Sunday, April 10, and the funeral service was held on Monday, April 11, at the Langan Funeral Home, 327 Main Street, Schoharie. Burial will be in the Gallupville Rural Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to Scho-Wright Ambulance Service, Post Office Box 325, Schoharie, NY 12157, or to the Gallupville Fire Department, Post Office Box 15, Gallupville, NY 12073.  Further information is available at www.guffinfuneralhome.com.