Douglas K. Skinner

Douglas Kerry Skinner was born at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on October 23rd, 1949. He spent his childhood at the family home on Salisbury Road in Sheffield, Massachusetts with his Mom and Dad, Norvin (Gib) and Mary Skinner and his older brother, Bruce. He attended grammar school at Sheffield Center School where he was always the “most popular” kid that all the little girls would chase around the school yard…..and so began a lifetime of an extraordinary man with extraoridnary charisma. Living an Ozzie & Harriet chidhood in the rural countryside of New England, with the freedom to spend countless hours in the woods playing cowboys and indians with his friends, brother and cousins, it was here that he formed his foundation of “family first” being surrounded by a large and loving family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that came from far and near to gather weekly. In 1959 Doug moved to California with his Mom, Dad and brother but he always kept a strong bond with his hometown of Sheffield that he loved and his cousin, Mary Jane and her family, visiting often his entire life.

His arrival in California, first to live in Baldwin Park, brought a whole new lifestyle and the rest of his large family already living there; Aunt Janet, Uncle Elsworth and his cousins, Merton, Roger and Ronald. Doug embraced his new life and never lost his sense of security and appreciation for all that a loving family provided.

In 1962 his family moved from Baldwin Park to Alhambra, California where he attended Junior High School at Ramona Middle School and was voted King of the Mason by the Mayor of Alhambra in 8th grade. He attended Alhambra High School; graduating in 1968. Doug loved school and his friends; Bruce Edland, Stan Goode and especially Susie Bunge….his life long “best buddy.” Doug spent his high school years at Salton Sea on the weekends with his family and friends, boating and water skiing and his weekdays riding around with his friends in his beloved 1957 blue Nomad Chevy….the beginning of another love for Doug…..classic cars, which eventually led to the Pepto Bismol pink Chevy convertible that made friends, family and even strangers smile and honk on the freeway…brightening everyone’s day. Doug was voted Best Dressed in his Senior year; an honor he was proud of and always continued the tradition by being impeccably dressed no matter what the occasion…..always the perfect outfit for attending a wedding or riding the dune buggy in the desert.

After graduation Doug married his high school girlfriend, Roberta Maston, and soon after enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War in November of 1968. Doug did his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and then spent the first part of his service in New Hampshire. His first born, Pauline Elizabeth Skinner, was born in September of 1970 prior to Doug’s tour of duty in Thailand for two years. Doug began his firefighting career in the Air Force while serving in Thailand where he was promoted several times. Doug was discharged in 1974 with the rank of Staff Sergeant with great pride in serving his country.

Doug was working for the Edison company when he met the love of his life, Alene Devlin. They married on February 8th, 1975 with their love story lasting thirty-five years. When Doug married Alene he became the proud father of his new son, Joe, and daughter, Dorene. Doug and Alene welcomed their fourth child together, Crystal , and then their immediate family was complete until all the children found their partners…..Bob Currie, Chuck Cooper, Bobby Bartl and Tim Walsh. Doug was in his glory with the expansion of his family….more loved ones to spend time with and more family to travel and party with…..always with the anticipation of grandchildren. Doug was an amazing Granfather and PaPa to his grandchildren; Kyle, Aly, Karen, Bryce, Riley May, Breana, Brayden and his most recent grandson with his name sake Landen Douglas, born September 9th, 2010.

1975 was a big year for Doug. Not only did he marry Alene and become the head of a much larger family, he discovered what it was he wanted to do with his life. He became a Rookie firefighter, joining a brotherhood he could never have imagined at that time would become the family it did and have the profound affect and lasting bond it formed to the end of his life. For the next 27 years it was his career..his brothers, his sisters…his extended family he worked with and played with. He was the proud member of the Anaheim Firefighters Local 2899 where he earned the rank of Engineer and accomplished the challenging training to become a Haz Mat Firefighter. He officially retired in July of 2002 surrounded by his brother firefighters, friends and family at a wonderful celebration.

Doug was then schedule free to do one of the things he loved to do best…travel the world with his Alene and family and friends. There were trips to exotic places like Italy, Greece, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii and Costa Rica. There were domestic trips to Utah, Massachusetts, Ohio, Idaho, the entire state of California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana and Washington . There were trips to the sea, trips to the rivers, trips to the desert, trips to the mountains, cruises to everywhere and road trips to explore light houses. Doug worked hard for all the “toys” he had and he made sure he and Alene enjoyed them….trips on the motorcycle, trips with the dune buggy, trips in the RV, weekly golf games with his Dad and his weekly bowling gatherings. Doug created his home to entertain with a backyard complete with party pavilion where he and Alene hosted small gatherings and many wedding receptions and special events. Doug and Alene embraced life and took advantage of every minute…they knew they were blessed with good fortune, a loving family and friends and an early retirement.

Doug and Alene celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on February 8th, 2010 with their fourth trip back to Tahiti, their first trip to Bora Bora….it was perfect in everyway. Doug and Alene were more in love after 35 years than they were in the beginning, because now they had those years of living, respect and honoring each other, children, grandchildren, memories, history and most importantly, they were best friends!! When they returned Doug began his courageous battle against esophageal cancer. He fought a great fight in spirit but his body failed and Doug lost his fight and life on October 3rd, 2010 surrounded by his wife and family at home. A day with Doug in it was always a good day for the person that got to share it with him. Doug’s life was too brief but it was a wonderful life, blessed by a wife and family that adored him, undeniable friendships, love and respect from everyone that was fortunate enough to be able to say they were related to or a friend of Doug Skinner.

Written by Mary Jane White