Shrewsbury – Arthur Skipwith Jr., known to many as “Skip,” passed away Thursday, April 21, 2016 at UMass Medical Center with his family by his side. He was 70.
Skip was born Jan. 17, 1946 in Sawyersville, Ala., to the son of the late Arthur Sr. & Petronia (Long) Skipwith. He was raised in Alabama and attended college at Tennessee State, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. More importantly, it was one day in 1965 where his eye would catch the love of his life, Amelia A. (Cathey), with whom he would celebrate 50 years of marriage this past March 20.
His professional career brought him to the Worcester area in the early 1960s before settling and calling Shrewsbury his home since 1972. He worked as a software programmer for the Norton Company for 15 years, Bay Bank for three years, and then worked at the TJX Companies until his retirement in 2007.
Skip loved good jazz music, especially by Grover Washington, Earl Klugh, and Kenny G. He loved sports and hunting, but had a special affection for cooking southern cuisine. He especially loved cooking for all of his family and friends.
Skip was predeceased by his brother, Elester Skipwith, and a grandson, Jalen.
He is survived by his wife, Amelia A. (Cathey) Skipwith of Shrewsbury; his three daughters, Yolanda L. Skipwith and her fiancé Mark of Westborough, Monica M. Stroud and her husband Zachary of Roswell, Ga., and Tamitha Rutherford and her husband Jamille of Worcester; a son, Derek A. Skipwith, currently serving in the U.S. Army stationed at the Aviano Air Base in Aviano, Italy; his grandchildren, Monique, Dominique, Taylor, Zachary, Gabrielle, and Samantha; three great-grandchildren, Alexandria, Isaiah and Amelia; Deacon Howard Skipwith and his wife Ruth of Leicester; his in-laws, Barbara Jean Cameron, Denise Cathey, Faranzel Cathey, Antonio Cathey, William Ross, Thomas Cameron; and many other nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Skips’ life at calling hours Tuesday, April 26, from 9-11 a.m., at the Christ Tabernacle Apostolic Church, 1189 Main St., Worcester. His Home Going Service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.
Honor Skip’s memory with a donation to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Waltham, MA 01701 or online at https://donatenow.heart.org/.
