Skeoch, Eric Robert
It is with great sadness we announce the death of Eric Robert Skeoch, who died suddenly on August 4th, 2024, at the age of 84.
Eric will be deeply missed by his beloved wife Judy and his sons, Robert and David (Julie), his grandchildren, Rachel and Amy, brother Alan (Marjorie), sister-in-law Pam Favager, his nephews Kevin and Andy (Julie), as well as his great nieces and nephew.
Eric was a much-loved principal at North Toronto Collegiate, retiring with Judy to a farm on top of Blue Mountain. He enjoyed the outdoor life and travelling though always looked forward to returning home to the farm and his beautiful barn where his creative talents in woodworking and gardening began.
His many friends and neighbours relied on barn treasures which Eric was always happy to share accompanied with a funny story on how he acquired the array of gadgets and tools.
His love of the outdoors included skiing, which he enjoyed up to his 83rd year.
Eric was a dog lover for most of his life, but more recently a couple of barn cats, Coco and Harry gave him great joy.
Our family would like to give thanks to the staff at Princess Margaret and Collingwood General and Marine Hospital for the care given to Eric during his illness.
A celebration of Eric’s Life will take place at the Marsh Street Centre in Clarksburg on Sunday, September 1, 2024 from 1 until 4 p.m., with tributes at 2 o’clock.
Eric, we will really miss your witty sense of humour and wonderful stories. We will love and miss you always and forever.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Princess Margaret Hospital, Collingwood General and Marine Hospital or Doctors Without Borders, would be gratefully appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
Details
Make a donation in memory of Eric Robert Skeoch
Donations: Princess Margaret Hospital, Collingwood General and Marine Hospital or Doctors Without BordersDonate with the following link(s)
https://thepmcf.ca/
https://cgmhf.com/donate/
https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/
Donate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Dear Judy
I am so sorry for your loss of Eric. I will never forget the fun we had in the office at West Toronto. His favourite prank on Halloween was letting staff and students indulge in the treats he would bring in only to tell us he found them on the subway on his way to work that morning. He was a true gentleman and a great administrator. May he rest in peace.
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Dear Danni
Your message was the first and it means so much to me. I am so touched and so sad
Thank you my dear
Judy
Friday, August 16, 2024
I was a student of his in the 1970 when he was starting out at LPCI. He was always very encouraging and kind and i still remember him very well. He was a role model in every way. A good man . I never knew him personally. I have been practicing law now for 40 years. I can still name the four teachers that made a difference. He’s top of the list. Condolences and great respect
Thursday, August 8, 2024
A colleague over the decades and a positive presence throughout his career as teacher, author, and administrator..
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Our sincere condolences to you Judy an Eric’s so scary and family’s. Eric touch many lives and always with a smile. Rest in Peace Eric.
Linda & Paul Wilson
Thursday, August 8, 2024
I had the pleasure of partnering with Eric as vice- principals at West Toronto. He was a friend and a great educator with a terrific sense of humour. Staff and students admired him because of his care for them and respected his professionalism.. Condolences to Judy and the entire Skeoch family. May his memory be for a blessing.
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Mr. Skeoch was my principal at NT, and I co-coached the girls volleyball team with him when I returned as a teacher candidate in 1999. I remember counting student council election ballots in his office and attending several volleyball tournaments as co-coaches.
After teaching 24 years in the TDSB I can say he was one of the best principals I have worked with.
Condolences to his family.
Thursday, August 8, 2024
As Ski friends of Eric we were lucky enough to be enthralled by stories of his past. The uphill lift was relatively short unlike many of Eric’s tales so often our parting words at the top of the hill were “TO BE CONTINUED”. What a great guy!
We can only imagine what a wonderful educator he must have been
Our sincere condolences to Judy and the family
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Thanks for being a good friend and thanks for so many fond memories Eric, especially the music adventure to Japan where as chaperones we had such a great time. Condolences to Judy and family. Rest in peace friend, you enjoyed a fabulous life and made so many good friends.
Thursday, August 8, 2024
So sad to hear this. I have great memories of him both as a friend to my parents and later as my high school principal. I will always remember him passing funny sarcastic notes to me in student council meetings with a straight face. He was highly respected and adored at the school.
Friday, August 9, 2024
So sorry to hear of Eric’s death, Judy. My earliest memories of Eric are when Dave taught at Parkdale Collegiate with the Skeoch brothers. They were a force to be reckoned with, as they sometimes tried teaching the same class; one at the front, the other at the back! Years later, Eric was my Principal at North Toronto Collegiate. He was a fine Principal , very professional but still with that wonderful sense of humour. I have fond memories of you and Eric entertaining the NT Posse when we dropped in at your farm one afternoon and also the skier sharing a chair one day, who suddenly turned out to be Eric. He will be missed.
My sympathy to you, Judy and all your family
Friday, August 9, 2024
Mr. Skeoch slipped me 100 bucks in a discreet handshake on prom night as a sponsorship to my “ice cream truck limo shenanigan”. That paid for all the “free” ice cream that my graduating class ate that night. At the time he wanted me to keep it a secret. I think it would not be disrespectful to reveal this now and thank him for this kind gesture of generosity! Coolest Principal Ever!
Friday, August 9, 2024
I knew Mr. Skeoch from my childhood days in the Yonge and Eglinton neighbourhood of Toronto, I still remember the Skeoch family home on Hillsdale Avenue East. Mr. Skeoch was very active with the local Beavers, Cubs and Scouts organization and he was a great leader and organizer. He was always such a fun and uplifting person to be around. Although I haven’t seen him in decades, he was someone who you never forgot. I extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Friday, August 9, 2024
It makes us so sad when the world loses a really good man! Our relationship with Eric only lasted a few years while our daughters were students at NTCI – but he made a lasting impression as one of those people who valued and respected students, who was gifted with wisdom and also humour and who was ready to launch himself into the outlandish effort called “Project 90”! Words are not adequate to sum up his gifts and the value that he added to that school and to all its staff and students. We can only imagine the gifts he brought to his role as husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and personal friend. He was one of the good ones!
Susan and David McKane
Friday, August 9, 2024
My condolences to you, Judy, and to all the Skeoch family. In our time together at West Toronto I found Eric admirable for his winning nature, his sound judgement and his unrelenting droll humour. He was a model of professionalism and a pleasure to work with. I’m happy for you and Eric that you have enjoyed a fulfilling retirement together on the farm and at Thornbury, where we crossed paths from time to time.
Friday, August 9, 2024
Our condolences in the loss of a fellow 6th liner. We enjoyed his company many times at Rock Union Church services and picnics. Rest in peace.
The Marshall Family
Saturday, August 10, 2024
So sorry to hear this news.We are thinking of you.Jane and Sid Dykstra
Saturday, August 10, 2024
My sincere condolences to the entire Skeoch family. I had the privilege of being a student of Mr. Skeoch in his early years as a history teacher at Parkdale Collegiate. Eric and his brother Alan were two influential people in my life during the wonder years at Parkdale, always positive and passionate in their vocation, guiding us to live inspired lives.
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Judy
We are sending you many prayers and so much love during this difficult time. May your memories help you through the tough days ahead. We love you xo
Saturday, August 10, 2024
What wonderful condolences! So many people will miss Eric. He was my only brother and we were very close…like twins must be. It is hard for Marjorie and me to believe he is gone. We see him in the rising of the
sun and in the daily trivia of our lives so deeply is he etched into our consciousness. In that sense
he is not gone while memory remains. Yes, we miss his wit and kindness ands generosity as do our boys Kevin and Andrew… and their children Morgan, Nolan, Molly and Jackson.
Personally I cannot believe he is gone. No more uplifting and humorous conversation except in the
darkenss of a sleepless night when thoughts of Eric tumble through my mind. Eric is with me forever.
Saturday, August 10, 2024
We first met Eric and Judy when they took our daughter and the North Toronto Concert Band to Japan during his first year at North Toronto as principal. We were so happy to find them as neighbours in Ravenna and have many fond memories of our times together, particularly in the beautiful garden gazebo that they lavished so much care on. Not to mention that if I needed a tool or a trailer I knew Eric would have it in that amazing barn.
Such a shock to lose a good friend and stalwart of the Rock Union community.
Our sincerest condolences to Judy and the Skeoch family.
Saturday, August 10, 2024
My sincere condolences to Judy, Alan and Marjorie and the Skeoch family. I was on the staff of West Toronto
Collegiate when Eric was Vice-Principal. He was very well-respected by students, staff and parents alike. In
subsequent years, we were Principal colleagues in the Toronto District School Board, where his
professionalism and good humour were much appreciated.
Rest in peace, Eric. You will be greatly missed.
Fran Parkin, Principal (retired) Harbord Collegiate Institute
Sunday, August 11, 2024
What an impact Eric, as principal of NTCI, had on countless young people at the beginning of their adult lives!! I was a student there during his time and fortunate enough to join the famous trip to Expo 90 in Japan accompanied by Eric and Judy. What a once-in-a lifetime experience! That whole atmosphere he helped to cultivate at NTCI was a rich garden full of talent and bonding, fostering such qualities such as self-discipline, teamwork. time management, deep friendships and achieving greatness that would serve us throughout our lives. And imagine my surprise to find out decades later that Eric and Judy lived close to my parents near Thornbury and had become dear friends! Always with a charismatic smile and some meaningful words. you will be remembered well. Most sincere gratitude for all the ways you have uplifted my life and my family.
Sunday, August 11, 2024
I am so sorry to hear that Eric has left us.
We taught together at Malvern Collegiate in the 1970’s. Eric became a mentor and a good friend. His students adored him and he taught with knowledge, passion and a sense of humour that tickled everyone’s fancy.
Eric and I left Malvern on the same day to pursue different paths but it was always wonderful to bump into him at various meetings/events where we reminisced joyfully about our teaching lives. He was a great storyteller and everyone loved being around him.
I send my deepest condolences to Judy and the family. How sad to lose such a beautiful soul.
Kathy
Sunday, August 11, 2024
My deepest condolences to Judy, Rob, Dave and Julie, Rachel, Amy, Alan and family. May the happy memories of Eric bring a smile to your face and peace to your heart during this difficult time. Deeply devoted to his family as a sweet dad, he had always been a guiding light. He planted seeds of love in our heart. We are forever grateful to you, Eric.
Sunday, August 11, 2024
My late husband David Hobbs had many a humorous tale to tell of Eric and times spent together as high school and university students. Just a few months ago, Eric’s name came up when I was talking with two others in that group, Bill Saul and Mike Yealland. After that, every time I drove through Banks I reminded myself I meant to catch up to Eric and Judy. My sincere regrets I did not do so. My deepest sympathy to Judy and family – Eric was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Our deepest sympathy to the late Eric Skeoch’s family at their loss. Eric was always a kind, cheerful and upbeat soul. He was gift to all he touched – family, education, all that is good to life. He will live on fondly in the memories of all who knew him.
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Dearest Judy, For days I have tried to put together some words to you, to express how I feel. When Gina called to tell me, I was devastated. I wish I had the words to tell you how sad I am. Yes, Eric was the professional everyone is writing about, but to Gina and I, he was so much fun to see everyday. He had it all…intelligent, handsome, funny and best of all he had your deepest love for him. You and I go back over 40 years and have so many memories of our own. Remember the bridge games at your house and mine? More wine drinking than playing but happy, happy times. I love you Judy and I am so very sorry for the loss you have to live with. Sending you a big hug. Lots of love,
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Our deepest sympathy to Eric Skeoch’s family at their loss. Eric was always a kind, cheerful and upbeat soul. He was a gift to all he touched – family. education and what is good in life. Eric will live on in the warm memories of all who knew him.
Sunday, August 11, 2024
I was so sorry to read about the passing of Mr. Skeoch. As a student at Parkdale Collegiate, Mr. Skeoch will always be remembered by me as a caring, motivational and inspiring teacher with a great sense of humour both in and outside of the classroom. He possessed all of the qualities needed to guide students through an important stage of life and for me was a tremendous role model. My sympathies to his family and friends.
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Judy,
I share your loss at this time.
Eric was wonderfully kind, helpful and supportive to me when we worked together.
I will remember him as an exceptionally fine friend and mentor.
Fondly, Myrna
Sunday, August 11, 2024
My condolences to Judy and the Skeoch family. Eric was a great person who had a tremendously positive influence on me and so many others. I first met him in his office soon after he started at NTCI, when the plan to take the NTCI Symphony Orchestra and Stage Band on a tour of Japan was first presented to him. Eric had not yet come to know any of those involved with the planning for such an ambitious project. He could have easily asked for more time to consider what the endeavour might involve. Not Eric – he was immediately encouraging and supportive! Over the next year or two, he played a significant role in Project 90’s success. He inspired people to tackle challenges, trusting them to find their way, providing support and encouragement (often delivered with his droll sense of humour) as needed. It was great to know him at NTCI, and to see him from time to time after his retirement in the Thornbury area. Thank you Eric for your kind, patient, calm, and steady leadership – you set a great example for us all!
Monday, August 12, 2024
Mr. Skeoch was one of the most memorable teachers at Malvern. He loved joking around with us, and keeping us entertained. When speaking about politics he always called it “The department of wealth and hellfare,” and he’d laugh at his play on words. He just made everyone feel that he cared. His intelligence made him well respected, without him having to be heavy handed at all. He’s someone we all speak of when we talk about the amazing teachers we had. He was one of the best!
My deepest condolences to all of his family and friends. May your wonderful memories provide some comfort at this difficult time.
Monday, August 12, 2024
My sincere condolences to the family in the passing of Eric.
Eric will be missed by the 6th line community and RUC.
Monday, August 12, 2024
Bob Wright
Monday, August 12, 2024
I met the brothers Skeoch at Vic. Great teachers of History. Eric was an outstanding principal and colleague.
Monday, August 12, 2024
Judy ~
Jim and I send our most heartfelt condolences, friendship and love to you and your family.
We are so sad to hear about Eric.
Our thoughts are with you
Deb
Monday, August 12, 2024
Mr. Skeoch, you were a role model and friend to so many people, and your memory clearly continues to inspire people! You will be greatly missed. I knew you first as as a family friend, then as a supportive and caring faculty member with a great sense of humour, at Malvern. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Monday, August 12, 2024
For more than a week now, ever since I learned of Eric’s passing, I have been struggling to define the extraordinary relationship I had with Eric. Mentors are supposed to appear early in your career, but Eric made his impact on my teaching and leadership when I had already been aboard the profession for twenty-five years. I vividly recall our first meeting ‒ at Jim Hogarth’s retirement gala ‒ when the newly-appointed Eric’s excitement about coming to North Toronto was almost palpable. And I remember the prideful dignity with which he represented the school with educational leaders and civic who’s-whos in Japan when we travelled together with Judy, Dave Ford, Bob Krueger and Bill Hammond and some hundred students and parents as part of the music department’s Project ’90. When OAC courses were introduced in 1993, I spent countless sessions in Eric’s office as we plotted how to accommodate the staffing and timetable changes necessary to revamp our entire senior English program and to introduce new courses in Writer’s Craft and Studies in Literature. And, boy! did I ever appreciate his unflagging support for my efforts to move a large and traditional (and wonderful) department from teacher-centred book learning to activity-based, student-centred learning in the mid-nineties. And, oh, how willing Eric was to cover my all-too-frequent absences from NT in order to adjudicate drama festivals or conduct workshops in other schools or outside the city. And was there ever a Principal who was more supportive of extra-curricular activities ‒ and not just sports and music? I can list a lengthy string of Graffiti editors and student writers who will long remember that their efforts and achievements were celebrated by Eric with genuine enthusiasm. And I know for certain that Eric truly understood and valued me as a fellow educator when he spoke with me about moving downstairs to the VPO when Verna Lister was promoted. Even before I could lament my leaving the classroom if I accepted, he dangled a classroom assignment as part of the arrangement. It was an offer I could not then refuse. And I will say now ‒ without a moment’s hesitation ‒ that my years in the VPO, working alongside Wendy McQueen and Eric, were the highlight years of my career in education.
Thank you, Eric, for your guidance, your support, and most of all, your example of what a truly professional educator can and should be!
Monday, August 12, 2024
Mr. Skeoch was my grade 9 history teacher at Lawrence Park in 1970. An inspiring raconteur and educator. I was turned off history later but have come back to it enthusiastically since, and I often think of him. As a TDSB teacher myself subsequently, I still appreciate his talent. One of the best. Thank you.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
I haven’t seen Eric for 60 years and I’m saddened this won’t ever happen again. We were on Victoria College football teams early 1960s. He was a fine athlete and great teammate. A slightly older respected role model on and off the field. Our careers then went in the same directions – high school teacher, then eventually principal, me in Scarborough for 33 years. And apparently as I have learned, same for the other parts of our lives, skiing – I was on the ski patrol at Alpine, and backyard gardening, collectibles and found art.
My condolences to brother Alan and all family.
Friday, August 16, 2024
Dear Judy. We were saddened and shocked to hear that Eric had passed. I remember him coming to our door to ask for donations for the Cancer Society. Frank would see him at a few auctions looking for a trailer or perhaps work boots. He was always friendly with a smile on his face. We are thinking of you and your family at this very sad time.
Dorothy Ridley and Frank Koc
Friday, August 16, 2024
Dear Judy, we adored Eric and we are so sorry for your loss. We celebrate his life – he was such a gentle man, so genuine, caring, interesting and intrigued with the people and lives crossing his path. We are grateful our paths crossed his. Rest easy Eric. You were a very good man. Kellie, Shayne, Riley & Brodie
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Dear Judy and family, we wish to express our deepest condolences. Eric was a ski buddy to us. We will miss looking for his Ford truck at 0830 hrs at the top of Blue Mountain, we will miss his funny stories on the chairlift that made us laugh, we’ll miss him telling us about his cold feet and most of all we will miss his inspiration that he imparted to us. It was hard for us to keep up to him and we are 15-20 yrs younger! Eric would be patiently waiting at the bottom of the hill for us. We will miss Eric ❤️
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
We were sad and shocked to hear of Eric’s passing having been sharing coffee and scones with him only 2 days before. Eric was a special friend. He was fun to be with because of his sense of humour and funny stories. He was great to know because of his values and his commitment to social justice and doing the right thing. He was the epitome of a “good man”. Our sincere condolences to our special friend Judy, and to Robert, David, Alan and family.
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
I learned today of Eric’s passing and was flooded with positive memories of our time together at the Toronto Board of Education . Eric was a consummate professional and a deeply empathetic educator and leader.
I always appreciated his insights into how we could make things better for students and their families .
He was very kind to me when , as a new Director of Education, I was finding my way and learning from him and so many of his talented Principal colleagues
Sunday, August 25, 2024
Judy, I just recently heard about Eric’s death. I am so sorry. I will always remember his immense kindness to Fred and me in our time of need. Eric was such a good man and the 2 of you so much fun to be with. My sincere condolences to you and the family.
Sunday, August 25, 2024
My deepest sympathy to Judy, Alan, and the rest of the family. Eric and I were colleagues with the Toronto Board of Education. We were members of the outstanding History department at Parkdale C. I. in the 60s. Later we were both principals. Eric was always positive and easy to work with.
We also shared an appreciation of rural life in Grey and Bruce.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
I was privileged enough to meet Eric when he and Deanna and the kids lived on Hillsdale Avenue in Toronto. I babysat Robert and David occasionally. At the time they were 6 and 8 years old.
My family decided to move to Bramalea at a time when I was going into Grade 13 at NTCI. I wanted to finish high school there and was looking for a way to stay in the neighborhood. Eric and Deanne opened their home to me for the year so I could do that.
During the next year I was able to learn from Eric a firm sense of responsibility for family, and was able to see what a good parent could bring to his family, which was something I was not at all acquainted with.
Eric’s influence on me had a lasting impact which aided me in raising my own kids years later.
Popular repetitive phrases at the time were; ” I cook you clean” when solving the issue of who really was going to do the dishes. ” Cuppa coffee apple pie and cheese” describes his favorite meal at a dîner near U of T. And he would often tell the kids at Malvern Collegiate stories of my personal eccentricities referring to me as ” The Irish Boarder”
You will be missed, sir.
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Thank you Rob, the Irish Boarder, for your sweet memories.
Thursday, August 29, 2024
My sincerest condolences Judy … Eric was a long time Probus friend … some twenty years …
will always fondly remember him … his easy going nature … always interesting chats … the books that he shared … and recently … dealing with the invasive Black Hawthorn shrubs …
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Mr. Skeoch was my history teacher at Lawrence Park Collegiate in the early 70s – perhaps grade 9 or 10, but it is so long ago. He was always an engaging teacher who made me want to attend class. We need more teachers like him and I am sure he inspired many people toward better lives. My sincere condolences to the family.
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Sincere condolences to Judy, sons Rob and Dave (Julie), granddaughters Rachel and Amy, brother Alan, nephew Neil Dean and others touched by Eric Skeoch.
I’m grateful for long ago having met his parents Red and Elsie, and sensing their family values in him–kindness, joy, honest work, courage, love of farm and nature–and to everyone subsequently in Eric’s long, rich life.
It also touched me deeply being close to his family on the Lake Huron shore at the very time of his passing. Eric’s generous, funny, respectful and open spirit remains with us and in his special place on Blue Mountain.
Sincerely, Susan MacKay