Robert “Bobby” Skipalis

ROBERT “BOBBY” SKIPALIS
December 9, 2020

ROBERT “BOBBY” SKIPALIS of Forty-Fort passed away on December 9th, 2020 following an illness. Bobby was the son of Elizabeth Brislin of Plymouth and the late Charles Skipalis of Warrior Run. In addition to his mother, he is survived by Cathi Pederson, partner in crime since 1990 and daughter Nicole Skipalis, of whom he was immensely proud. Also surviving are sister Cindy Shea and her husband Jerry of Kingston, niece Dakota Noonan, nephews Justis and Jeremy Shea, David Skipalis and Jonathan Skipalis as well as several great nieces and nephews who always looked forward to visits from Uncle Bob. Also surviving are in laws Hazel Wasserott Rider and Jim Rider of Forty-Fort, Duane and Debbie Weaver of Tunkhannock, John, and Kim Weaver of Shavertown as well as several nieces and nephews and many, many friends. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by his brother Charles Skipalis and niece Amanda Drozda, great nephew Axl Shea, grandparents Charles and Catherine Skipalis and Elmer and Elizabeth Searfoss.

Bobby spent many years in partnership with his father and then sole proprietor of HMS Vehicle Service in Wilkes-Barre. After he closed HMS he went to work as a mechanic (he hated the word technician) for Nicholas Truck Sales in Luzerne until March 2020. He considered everyone at Nicholas extended family and was truly heartbroken when they closed. He adored animals and dearly loved his buddy’s past and present, Pearl, Duffy, Bug, Pitiful, Peanut, Bear, Diamond, Kash, Kirby, Rufus, Damien, and Vera. The absolute best things about Bobby were his sense of humor and his enormous heart. He was the kind of guy that still stopped to change a flat tire for strangers. If he loved you, he made sure that you knew it. If he was not so fond of you, he made sure you knew it too. His spirit will live on in many ways. Every time we watch a horror movie, eat a piece of chicken, listen to the oldies, walk in the woods, drive past a junk vehicle for sale and want to call him with the address, or scratch off a winning lottery ticket, Bobby will be there. Bobby would want you all to know that he once won $400 on a $1 scratch off ticket, so anything is possible. He loved the holiday season, and he would want to be remembered with more smiles than tears so we all need to try our best to do that.

As per Bobby’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral services, public or private. He did his best to avoid viewings and funerals and made us promise that he would not even make him go to his own. Memorial donations if desired can be made to the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 East Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, pa 18702.

Arrangements are by the Metcalfe Shaver Kopcza Funeral Home Inc 504 Wyoming Avenue Wyoming.

For more information or to send condolences please visit us at www.metcalfeshaver.com.