Obituary of Henry Andrew Skiba

Henry “Skip” Andrew Skiba, Jr., beloved husband, father and friend to many, passed away suddenly yet peacefully on Monday, February 21, 2022 at Bridgeport Hospital.

Skip was born on February 13, 1957 to the late Henry Skiba, Sr. and Elizabeth Flasko Skiba in Bridgeport, CT and was a lifelong resident of Fairfield.  He attended St. Thomas Aquinas School and graduated from Roger Ludlowe High School in 1975 and Keene State in 1977. He was employed as an arborist for Bartlett Tree Service. He served on the Town of Fairfield’s Land Acquisition Committee for ten years. He also coached Pop Warner football and served on their board for seven years.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and cherished wife of 43 years, Carolyn Adams Skiba, his beloved daughter, Jennifer Skiba and her fiancé Keith Stefan (Fairfield) and his best friend and son, Michael Skiba and his fiancé Jenna Rowe (Stratford).  He leaves behind his adored sister Patricia Hadden (Stratford) and Janice Frost (Fairfield), and his sister-in-law Sarah Adams Crabtree (Charleston, SC). He enjoyed time spent with his many nieces and nephews and their children. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Gavin Hadden III.

Skip cherished the experiences and memories of growing up and raising his family in Fairfield. He was a talented basketball player for Roger Ludlowe High and he spent summers working at Sun Haven Beach Club- where he met the love of his life.  He enjoyed being in the outdoors, at the beach, camping, on his boat, skiing (taking up snowboarding at age 40+) and challenging himself (and excelling) in scuba diving, carpentry among many other interests. In recent years, Skip enjoyed time at Hellbent Barbell, the powerlifting gym owned by his son Mike, where he was a mentor and made lasting friendships. After breaking world records, Skip was inducted into the Powerlifting Hall of Fame in 2015.

Skip was well read, a lover of history and engaging conservationist on a wide variety of topics.  He enjoyed the simple, timeless pleasures of life; being out on the Sound on his boat Sun Haven, sipping a cold beer on a hot day, cutting down the Christmas tree at Maple Row with a festive tailgate afterward, and watching a Jets game in front of a crackling fire with his beloved lab, Betty the Dog, on one side and his Carolyn on the other. Being with family and friends around a table, enjoying one of his home-cooked meals, drinking Limoncello, and swapping stories with much laughter will be an enduring memory of Skip Skiba.

Far more than what he did in his life, was who he was as a man and the indelible impression he left on those he loved and leaves behind. Countless stories of his generosity of time and kindness toward others have been shared revealing his authentic nature of being true to himself and dedicated to all he loved. Skip treated everyone with respect, worked with integrity, and was a man among men.  He will be greatly missed but cherished in our memories forever. We know we'll see him again, during the next snowstorm, doing donuts in the parking lots.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 PM in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday 1030 AM in Saint Thomas Church 1719 Post Road, Fairfield. His interment in Oak Lawn Cemetery will be private.

His family would prefer memorial contributions to: The Special Olympics of Connecticut, in support of the Power Lifting Program (www.SOCT.org). For travel directions or to sign his online guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com