Thomas Patrick Skahill

Thomas Patrick Skahill, age 73, passed away on April 11th. He was born on July 16, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, to Marie (Gibbons) and Edward Skahill. He grew up in a two-flat on 40th Street, with his aunt, uncle, and four cousins upstairs and his parents and brother downstairs, a childhood filled with pick-up basketball, street hockey, and fast-pitch baseball games.

Tom attended St. Agnes and De La Salle before going on to the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), where he studied accounting. He later earned his CPA and his MBA in finance from DePaul University.

While at IIT, Tom played basketball and earned multiple accolades, including breaking school records, achieving All-American status, and having his jersey number 22 retired. His love of basketball continued long after college, as he played in adult leagues with lifelong friends and later shared that passion with his children and grandchildren.

Beyond basketball, Tom had a deep love for the outdoors and staying active. He enjoyed hiking, kayaking, camping, and especially biking. Some of his favorite days were spent leading loved ones on self-created bike tours through his favorite parts of Chicago – always featuring beautiful lakefront views and a memorable food stop, as he was always on the hunt for the best donuts, pizza, or hot dogs in the city.

Above all, Tom cherished the people in his life. He deeply valued his family and the friends who became family, and those relationships meant the most to him.

Tom is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue Skahill; his children, Thomas (Heather) Skahill, William (Stacie) Jones, and Maegan Skahill (Greg Knapp); his brother, Edward (Kathie) Skahill; his grandchildren, Taylor (William) Hancock, Taryn (Edson Garcia) Skahill, Rylie Skahill, Jordyn Skahill, Ellie Knapp, Charlie Knapp, and Everett Knapp; and his great-grandchild, Fallon Hancock. He is also survived by numerous extended family members and friends who were like family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Marie Skahill; his aunt and uncle, Pat and Sis Gibbons; and his cousin, Michael Gibbons.

A visitation will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Peoria, Illinois, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier Parish in LaGrange, Illinois, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Tom will be remembered for his love of family, his friendships, and the joy he found in staying active and sharing life with others. His presence was steady, his loyalty unwavering, and his love for those closest to him was always at the center of who he was. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or to a charity of your choice.