Donald Skiff
Dan McClelland
Don Skiff, age 77, passed away peacefully on April 4,2024 with family by his side. Don had been in failing health for several years.
Born September 23,1946 in Tupper Lake, NY, he was the son of the late Jay Skiff and Agnes Tetreault Skiff. Don graduated from Tupper Lake High School 1964. After graduation, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1968 from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa.
Immediately after graduation, Don accepted a position at Parsons as a Business Program instructor. During his time there he was also the Director of Living Centers, Assistant Dean of Men, Assistant Director of Testing and Research and nominated for Outstanding Young Men of America in 1971.
In 1972 Don returned to his beloved Tupper Lake and became an Accountant for the Franklin Dairy and Altamont Milk and Ice Cream Company. He remained in this position until 1977 when he decided to further his education with a master’s degree in business administration at Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio, which he completed in 1979.
After graduating, Don accepted a position as an Associate Professor, Division of Business, at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA. He held positions on many boards including Secretary and Chairperson of the Faculty Senate and consultant to College Misericordia as well as several local businesses regarding personal computer purchase, use and training. He was tenured and promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor in 1982 and elected by the Board of Trustees as “Teacher of the Year” in 1993.
Don was also very active in his community. He was the Past Board Member of the Child Development Council in Wilkes Barre, PA, President and founding member of the Wyoming Valley Chapter of the Stepfamily Association of America and Founding member and Executive Secretary of the Pennsylvania Society of Teaching Scholars, Harrisburg, PA. Don retired in 2009 after 30 successful years at Misericordia.
In his spare time, he enjoyed working on computers and photography. His favorite time was spent with his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Donnie Skiff.
Surviving are his loving daughter, Dawn Pollick of Glen Lyon; grandchildren, Tiana Yevich (Billy) and Caven Pollick of Mocanaqua, PA, great grandchildren, Elena and Caleb Yevich; brothers and sisters, Jay A Skiff, Tupper Lake, NY, Steven Skiff, Tupper Lake, NY, Pam Skiff, Cumberland, MD, Pat Bruszewski (Roger), Lancaster, PA, Joan Stuart (Shawn), of Tupper Lake, NY, and Jean Wilcox, Marietta, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Grontkowski Funeral Home in Nanticoke, PA on Saturday April 27th from 1:00 to 3:00PM. Interment will be at Lake View Cemetery in Tupper Lake, NY. online condolences can be made at sjgrontkowskifuneralhome.com.