Obituary of Walter F. Skerrett

Walter F. Skerrett, a 39 year resident of Darien, CT passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at home. Born December 22, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY he was the son of the late Walter Francis & Yolanda Skerrett of Brooklyn, NY. He was 78 years of age. Mr. Skerrett graduated from St. Peters College with a Bachelors of Science Degree. A decorated veteran, he was First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army: Artillery Surface to Air Guided Missiles, 1957-1961, 1st Operational NATO Air Defense Unit in 7th Army in Germany, 3rd Missile Battalion 71st Artillery, and received The Army Commendation Medal for developing and implementing the standard operating procedures used within the entirely new concept of an above ground NIKE-HERCULES site. Mr. Skerrett is survived by his wife of 51 years Catherine Ann, his three children, Edward Skerrett of Darien, CT; Katherine Slinsky and her husband Richard Slinsky of Darien, CT; Susie Skerrett of Darien, CT; granddaughter Jessica Jean Skerrett and grandson Stephen James Skerrett of Milford, CT. He was predeceased in 2012 by his son Thomas Edward Skerrett. Prior to moving to Connecticut, Mr. Skerrett was a stock broker for Merrill Lynch. Mr. Skerrett was the proprietor of The Puritan variety store in Darien from 1974 to 1978 which he ran with his family. Well known by townspeople during that time, he chatted with many people as they stopped in the shop on their way to and from the surrounding churches and schools. He loved history particularly US military and that of Steeplechase Park/Coney Island, Brooklyn where he worked in the office while going to college. It was at Steeplechase where he met Catherine, the daughter of Manager, Jimmy Onorato. Most recently he was employed by Xerox Corp. He also instilled in his family a love of railroads, gardening and vintage radio programs. Calling hours will be March 14th from 4 to 7 pm at Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Boston Post Road, Darien. A private family burial will take place at The State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mr. Skerrett's memory to The Disabled American Veterans Organization, Attention: Gift Processing, P. O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 -http://www.dav.org or The Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River Street, East Haven, CT 06512 or The Darien Library, 1441 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820