SKINNER, Chesley “Ches” Garland

It is with warm hearts and profound love that we share with our family and friends, the loss of a most genuine, incredible, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Chesley “Ches” Garland Skinner of Bridgewater. Chesley’s undeniable trust and belief in the Heavens above enabled our peace today. As a member of the congregation of St. John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg for many years, he was committed to his faith, and lived it in every way possible.

From his modest upbringing in a small village in Newfoundland, Chesley has journeyed across many rough seas. May you find the brilliant pearl in the sea on this new journey, and may your example and humility inspire compassion, and ease the pain of others, as you reunite in the spirit of God and Love.

Chesley started his seagoing career as a young man. His life on the sea included fishing vessels of many types, to the offshore drilling rigs, the Canadian Coast Guard, and then he ventured back to scallop fishing. In the early 1990s he hung up his fishing gear and began his retirement with his loving wife.

He and his wife Doreen enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and spent many happy hours square dancing with the LaHave River Ramblers and the Sunrise Square Dancing Clubs, travelling with friends and spending quality time with the family at their cottage in Waterloo.

Chesley was predeceased by his parents, John Joe and Rosanna (Garland) Skinner; son, Chesley “Skipper” Garland Junior; and all his brothers and sisters, Stanley (Violet) Skinner, Arthur (Carrie) Skinner, Albert (Josephine) Skinner, Eli (Rita) Skinner, Raymond Skinner, Winston Skinner, Elsie (Fred) Moore, Beatrice (Lewis) Hiltz.

Chesley is survived by the love of his life and partner, wife, Doreen (Sawler) and his remaining children and their families; son, Terry Skinner and his wife Sherry and daughter, Brenda Skinner (MacDonald); grandchildren; Jill Skinner, Tracey, Timothy, and James MacDonald (Ira); and great-grandchildren, Skipper, Judah, Mikah, and Finn Chesley; and sister-in-law, Germaine Skinner; and many nieces and nephews.

As our broken hearts heal and the wonderful memories of your incredible patience, perseverance, and that entertaining sense of humour, we will honour you every day by living a life of love and kindness. You taught us about the choices we make, the persistence of hard work and to never take anything for granted. You are our motivation to live each day, knowing it is fragile but always worth the fight.

We love you!

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Highway 3, Lunenburg. A service for family and close friends to celebrate the life of Chesley will be held Thursday, July 27, 2023, 2 p.m., at St. John’s Anglican Church, Lunenburg, Rev. Tory Byrne, officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia, the Canadian Cancer Society or to South Shore Health Palliative Care. www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca