Obituary of William Skelley

William Richard Skelley, 78, of South Glastonbury, CT. and Green Hill Beach, R.I. died Wednesday, February 2nd, at MA General Hospital in Boston surrounded by his wife and four children after a courageous 3-year battle with cancer. Bill was born in Hartford, CT on November 16, 1932 to James and Annie Ahern Skelley, the youngest of a large Irish family of eight children. He excelled in football at Bulkeley High where he was a 3-year All-State tackle and co-captain of the 1950 undefeated-untied football team. He received a football scholarship from Georgia Tech where he graduated in 1955 with a degree in Industrial Management. He received his MBA from the University of Connecticut in 1960. In 1955 he married Marilyn Hull, his high school sweetheart, and was a loving and devoted husband for 55 years. In 1966 they moved to Longmeadow, MA where they raised their family. He was employed by LEGO Systems in Enfield, CT as a Director of Production/Process. He retired in 1998. He also taught Manufacturing Management classes at Western New England College. Anyone who ever came in contact with Bill could attest to his love of life and great sense of humor. Bill was always smiling and had a positive outlook and impact on all the people he touched. As a husband, father, grandfather, friend and co-worker Bill was a great example to all of what it means to be a decent human being. Bill loved cooking, swam regularly, and was an avid sports fan. He loved books, traveling and country music. He especially loved spending his summers at his beach home in Green Hill Beach, RI. He prided himself in his beautiful gardens. Most of all he loved spending time with his family. He leaves behind his best friend and loving wife, Marilyn and four children. Daughter, Eileen Savoy, of Auburn, MA, son, William James Skelley and wife Kristen of Longmeadow, MA, daughter, Brenda Straker and husband Garry of South Glastonbury, CT, and daughter, Maura Oldenburg and husband Marc of East Longmeadow, MA. He also leaves his 10 grandchildren, Brendan Savoy, Ryan Savoy, Liam Straker, Danny Straker, Owen Oldenburg, Caleigh Straker, Finian Oldenburg, Seamus Oldenburg, William Richard Skelley and Isabella Nolfi-Escobar. He also leaves behind his sister Audrey Coleman of Wethersfield, CT and his mother-in-law, Claire M. Hull of South Glastonbury and many nieces and nephews. The family would also like to acknowledge the wonderful, loving care he received from the many nurses and doctors at MA General Hospital. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday Feb. 7, at 11am in St. Mary's Church, Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, MA. Burial will follow in Longmeadow Cemetery, Longmeadow, MA. Friends may call at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, CT. on Sunday Feb. 6, from 2-5pm. For those wishing to make a donation in memory of Bill, to MA. General Hospital, Cancer Center mail to: MGH Development Office, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA, 02114. For online tributes please visit www.mulryanfh.com.