Christopher G. Skinner

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a beloved fiancé, son, brother, uncle, and friend Christopher Gail Skinner. Chris died in the line of duty on Thursday, May 29, 2014. He was predeceased by his father, Gail R. Skinner, grandfathers, Charles A. Fleming, and Donald A. Skinner. He is survived by his fiancé Surrena Gould, children Kyle and Erin Skinner and Ethan Gould, mother Sharyn F. Skinner, grandmothers, Barbara Skinner and "Flossie" Fleming, and siblings Major Julie A. (Lt Col Douglas) Dillon, Jason W. (Jessica) Skinner and their children Brycen and Aspyn, and Shawn D. (Sonya) Skinner and their daughters Covany, Samantha, Mishayla and Vivianne, and aunts, uncles, and cousins too numerous to name. Chris was born and raised in Binghamton, NY. He graduated from Chenango Valley High School in 1989 and SUNY Cobleskill in 1991 (AS) and 1993 (BS). After graduation, he lived in Clifton Springs, NY and worked as a Product Support Manager for CASE International. During this time, he developed a love of community work by volunteering at the Shortsville Fire Department.

In 2001 he followed his dream and graduated from the State Police Academy. He was assigned to Troop G, Latham, NY, then Troop E, Canandaigua, NY, and lastly Troop C, Kirkwood, NY. He was assigned to the Traffic Incident Management Unit since 2008. He enjoyed his career with the state troopers but also truly loved farming. He spent many hours each year working on the family farm while simultaneously building his own farm. Chris and Surrena planned to be married July 19, 2014 and were looking forward to sharing their new home on the 115 acre farm, for which Chris had worked so hard. Chris enjoyed spending time working on and using vintage equipment and he was an active member of the Broome County Farm Bureau. Each year Chris marked his calendar well in advance for the Farm Bureau auction, some years taking equipment up and most years bringing more treasures back, but never missing one. He also spent many hours pursuing his love of antique vehicles. Wherever Chris lived, he was very community minded, continuing to volunteer for the local fire department. When he moved back to the Binghamton he immediately became a member of the Five Mile Point Fire department, spending many hours helping people in time of crisis. In all, Chris devoted 22 years of service to the fire department. In his spare time Chris loved to be outdoors snowmobiling, haying and generally living the country life. An active member of the Whitney Point Ridge Riders, Chris loved to snow mobile, a love he developed as a child, riding on the farm with his parents and siblings