Obituary of John Melville Skinner

John Melville Skinner, age 89 of Weston, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2019 in the Shannex - Blomidon Court, Greenwich. He was the son of the late Robie Lamont and Annie Barlow (Ruggles) Skinner.

John was born at home in Weston where he also attended school. He inherited the family farm but as he did not have a love for farming, he studied drafting by correspondence and later at night school at Acadia University. He was employed as a draftsman at Hiltz & Seamone Co. Ltd for over thirty years. He eventually sold the farm, keeping 11 acres where he had a bungalow built and remained there until 2011 when he and Marie moved to an apartment in Berwick due to his declining health from Parkinson’s Disease. In 2016, he became a resident at Shannex Blomidon Count.

John was a founding member of Weston Christian Fellowship Church where he served in various capacities over the years including elder and Sunday School teacher. He was instrumental in the establishment of Truth for Youth Bible Camp, Blomidon (now Blomidon Bible Camp) where he served throughout his life with anything from construction to a chalk art talk during chapel.

John’s creativity was seen in oil painting and landscape chalk art. He loved the outdoors, especially the woods on his Weston property. He was very knowledgeable about birds, flowers and plants in general and was an avid vegetable and flower gardener. After his retirement, he spent many hours in his workshop where he created items he sold from home and in several local shops. Perhaps John’s most unique hobby was a large model railroad.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian Marie (Bickers); daughter Ruth Lorraine (Stephen) Dorey; son James Robie; and grandson Shane Lloyd Dorey.

Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his sister Margaret Eunice (Nichols).

The family would like to thank the doctor, nurses and staff at Blomidon Court, Greenwich for their excellent care and genuine love for John during his three-year residency with them.

A visitation will take place on Sunday, October 20, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Berwick Funeral Chapel. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, October 21, 2019 at 2:00 pm in the Weston Christian Fellowship Church followed by a reception in the Church Hall. Following the reception, interment will take place in the Berwick Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or Blomidon Bible Camp. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Berwick Funeral Chapel, 192 Commercial Street, Berwick, NS, B0P 1E0 (902-538-9900).