Norman Skillman

June 28, 1927 - November 1, 2009

Norman Cheney Skillman of Bemus Point, age 82, died Sunday, November 1, 2009 at home surrounded by his family. Norm was born to Frank and Ruth Skillman on June 28, 1927, and was a life-long resident of Bemus Point, New York, although he managed to travel to every state except Hawaii in his lifetime. He graduated from Bemus Point High School, and later, Alfred University with a degree in science. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1945 and served a short time during World War II. After graduating from college, he joined his father at Skillman Brothers General Store. There, he took over and began converting the business from groceries to clothing in the 1960?s. He worked at Skillman?s Store for 38 years. He sold the business when he was first diagnosed with cancer in 1978. After retiring he became involved in work for the village of Bemus Point for 12 years until 1992. He was a member of the Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department, the Bemus Point Historical Society, the Penn Yan Hunting Club, and the New York Forest Owners Association. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. A member of the Nature Conservancy, he had a passion for forestry, and with his wife, Helen, planted over 1,000 trees on his property, including blue spruce, Austrian pine, Norway spruce, white birch, dogwood, black walnut, crab apple, and Douglas fir. As part of the Tree City America/Bemus Point Chapter he helped with fundraising and planting of the white birch trees in front of the library, the maple trees in the village park, the crimson king maple in front of the bank, the sunburst locust in front of the Catholic Church, and the 10 crabapples lining Main Street by the golf course, all planted over a period of several years. His own back yard was a virtual arboretum and wildlife refuge. In addition to Norm?s interests and passions, what made him happiest was the telling of a good story, and the making and sharing of his homemade maple syrup and sauerkraut. Ultimately, Norm was always the one to enjoy playing a good practical joke, and he good-naturedly accepted the payback. He will be thoroughly missed by his family: his wife of 58 years, Helen Skillman, whom he married December 27, 1951; his four daughters: Cynthia Mask of Auburn, AL, Janice Rotkis of Seattle, WA, Carol Skillman of Bemus Point, NY, and Marcia Skillman of Santa Fe, NM; seven grandchildren: Austin Mask of Dallas, TX, Janine Mask of Hollywood, FL, Todd, Lauren, and Carrie Rotkis of Seattle, WA, and Arabelle and Elliott Clark of Bemus Point; his sister-in-law, Jeannett Jensen, and her children, Diane Elise, Suzanne Skillman, Gary Skillman, and Jeanine Williams; a nephew, Jim Harrison, his wife Jan Harrison, and their 3 daughters: Kate, Jill, and Molly. A ?Celebration of Life? Memorial will be held at the YMCA Camp Onyahsa, 5411 Route 430 (East Lake Road), Dewittville, NY 14728 (www.onyahsa.org.) on Sunday, November 8, beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception until 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bemus Point Historical Society, Bemus Point, NY 14712; or to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750. Powers, Present & Sixbey Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Messages to the family may be sent by visiting www.presentsixbeyfuneral.com.