Donald Richard Skelton

Longmeadow-Don Richard Skelton, aka, Donald Richard Skelton 88, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2020 at home with his wife of 39 years, Patricia (Matroni) Skelton. Don is also survived by his children, David Skelton of Wilbraham MA, Janet Arce of Las Vegas NV, Laura Dromgold of Suffield CT, Lisa Clark of Westfield MA, James Skelton of Allen TX, and Patricia's daughter, Lillian Zeffer of Sound Beach NY; 12 grandchildren Tyler Dromgold, Jake Dromgold, Olivia Clark, Jack Clark, Oliver Volungis, Ethan Volungis, Don Volungis, Tylor Forshey, Dylan Forshey, Ruth Skelton, Collin Zeffer and Dean Zeffer; and 2 great grandchildren. Also nephew Eddie Baldwin and niece Sally Benway of Des Moines IA and niece Janis Kara of Katy TX, and nephew Maury Agcaoili of Waiahu Hawaii, and his sister-in-law Barbara Wojnilowicz of Springfield. Don was predeceased by his first wife Barbara Harris Skelton who gave birth to David and Janet and was divorced from his second wife Alyce (Washington) Skelton who gave birth to Laura, Lisa and James. He also was predeceased by his parents Don H. Skelton and Wanda (Johnson) Skelton and his two sisters Joann (Skelton) Baldwin and Miriam (Skelton) Agcaoili. Don was born in Des Moines IA where he graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School, then he attended Drake University and graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Actuarial Science. Don was employed by Monarch Life Insurance Company, Springfield MA for 46 years and he retired as Senior Vice President of Monarch. During that time Don held many positions in Monarch subsidiaries and acquisitions, including President and CEO of First Variable Life Insurance Company and Connecticut Commercial Life Insurance Co., and as a member of the board of directors of many of such companies. Don was a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a Certified Life Underwriter, and a Fellow Life Office Management Association. Don served as chairman of the Springfield United Way budget committee 1969-1971. He also was a member of the Actuaries Club of Boston, the Actuaries Club of Hartford and the American Academy of Actuaries. Don enjoyed playing golf starting at age 12 and ending at age 85. He was a member of the Longmeadow Country Club 1962-1971, but played on local public courses before and after that. He enjoyed his vacations at Eagle Camp in South Hero VT on the shore of Lake Champlain, two weeks each year 1957-2018, and one month in Aruba each year from 1989-2003. Don owned a 19 foot O'Day sailboat which he sailed with family and friends on Lake Champlain while at Eagle Camp and at Otis reservoir from May to October. Don enjoyed his basement workshop where he made repairs for the house and lawn. He had a large collection of power and hand tools which he cherished. Don will be missed by his relatives and friends. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday July 8, 2020 from 4-8PM at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. Friends are invited to go directly to St. Mary's Church, 519 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow on Thursday July 9, 2020 at 12PM for Don's funeral service, immediately followed by burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Donations can be made to St. Mary's Academy, 56 Hopkins Place, Longmeadow, MA 01106. To leave a message of personal condolence or for more information, visit www.forastiere.com.