Skip Easterly

Walter James “Skip” Easterly, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, public servant and friend, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026. He was surrounded by family and friends when he was welcomed home in heaven and reborn into Eternal Life. Skip spent the last 40 years of his life in Raleigh where he doted on his family, loved his friends and served God at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.

Skip never met a stranger and could engage anyone and everyone in conversation. He was blessed with a quick wit and a kind heart and always met family and friends alike with a smile, a story or a joke, and words of encouragement. He enjoyed family gatherings the most, both big and small, whether hosted at home or by traveling to where his children were raising their families. He was always up for a card game or any number of board games, he worked the weekly bingo contests at his independent living community (and was a regular winner!), completed a crossword and sudoku daily, was an avid golfer and certified grill master, and was undefeated on completing the most difficult puzzles ever created.

Skip loved numbers and was always calling attention to patterns, quirks and statistics that the rest of us could never have seen. He was a dedicated sports fan, having played baseball as a youth, and high school basketball in his hometown of Bethlehem, PA. Skip graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1960 with a degree in Business, making him a proud Fighting Irish supporter. Later, he adopted the Wolfpack as a season ticket holder for both NC State’s men’s and women’s basketball teams for several decades.

After his graduation from Notre Dame, Skip earned a Master’s Degree in History from the University of Miami and began a long career in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. Making his mark as a dedicated public servant, Skip fought for fair wages for oppressed workers and ensured they would not be retaliated against for many different types of discrimination. He retired from the Feds on a Friday and began working for the NC Department of Labor in a similar position, the following Monday. He was dedicated, hardworking, and talented.

This calling was also a hallmark of his personal life, and he and his lovely wife, Judy, quietly found ways to consistently seek out and serve friends and neighbors in need, support disaster victims, or counsel young couples through the Catholic church who were approaching the sacrament of marriage. It is well known that Skip tended to his NC daughters’ handyman projects and mowed and weeded thousands of lawns for them and friends, right up until 4 months before his passing.

Skip will be greatly missed by his wife and partner of 64 years, Judith Ann Easterly. Judy was the absolute love of his life, his rock, travel companion and lifelong partner in times both overwhelmingly blessed and challenging. Forever grateful for his wisdom, humble yet steady example, and gentle kindness are his six children, Mary Chris Easterly, Betsy Gray and her husband Clayton, Ellen Cappello and her husband Tony, Patrick Easterly and his wife Brandi, Matthew Easterly and his wife Magdalena, and Sarah Tiani and her husband, Domenic. “Grandpa” is now a fierce guardian angel for his fifteen grandchildren who adored him and gave him infinite joy, Molly, Olivia, Austin, Anthony, John, Matthew, Cassie, Jamie, Jennifer, Keegan, Kai, Luci, Sophie, Beck, and Tristan. He will also be looking over his two great-grandsons, Avery and Julian, with the same care and guidance.

Skip was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna Easterly, his parents-in-law, Frank and Helen Weisenberger, and brothers-in-law, Dick and Peter Weisenberger. They are now reunited in heaven.

The family requests donations be made to Transitions Hospice in Raleigh, NC in lieu of flowers, by using the links below, under 'Donations'. Should you care to do so, please note that you are giving in memory of Skip Easterly.

Many thanks for all the prayers and comfort you all have shown and will continue to show in support of our family.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, 715 Nazareth Street, Raleigh, NC 27606. The family will receive visitors prior to Mass in the church Narthex, beginning at 9:00am. Mass will begin at 10:00 am. Following the Mass, a reception will be held at 11:00am in the Parish Center, 2403 Crusader Drive, Raleigh, next to the cathedral.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Skip or a message of condolence to Judy and their family, you may do so below within "Add a Memory".