RONALD LEIGH SKINNER

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RONALD LEIGH SKINNER Ronald Leigh Skinner, beloved husband of Doris Skinner of Yorkton, passed away with his family at his side January 14, 2003 after complications following surgery. Ron was born April 21, 1928 at St. James, MB, son of Thomas and Mabel (Stewart) Skinner. He grew up in Roland, MB with loving parents, four brothers and five sisters. His love of music, especially the trumpet, began in his childhood and continued throughout his life. He attended school in Roland, and graduated from business college in Winnipeg. Ron met Doris Thorarinson while playing in a dance band with Doris brother Al, in February of 1949, and they were married on November 19 the same year. Ron was working at International Harvester in Winnipeg at the time, and shortly thereafter became a partner in a dealership in Yorkton, SK. In 1957 he sold his International Harvester dealership in Yorkton, and began what was to be his almost 50 years in the broadcast industry. With his pioneering spirit and a great deal of innovation, he was one of the founders of off-air television in north eastern Saskatchewan in 1958. Then, with the participation of his family, and technology that was years ahead of the rest of the country, he extended cable television service to small communities throughout Saskatchewan. In 1999, he launched the worlds second wireless cable and Internet network. Always the entrepreneur, he also expanded his group of companies to include a resort operation, a real estate operation, and a rentals and sales operation. He was a hands-on president of all the family companies right to the end. Ron also participated in many industry organizations, and served as well on the Board of Directors of several Saskatchewan companies. He was successful in making real and lasting contributions to his community through participation in CAA Saskatchewan, Yorkton Senior Terriers, Lions Club, United Way, and SPEBSQSA, to name just a few. In 1986, Ron established the R.L. Skinner Family Foundation which has benefitted the community through such donations as funding for the Alzheimers wing, ICU equipment for the ECHD, and building and renovations for a non-profit daycare, Accent on Kids. Ron wanted to accomplish something every day. He loved his work because to him, it wasnt work. He had an insatiable curiosity about all things and boundless energy. Above all this, Ron lived for and loved his wife and family first. He treasured his children and grandchildren, and the 27 winters he spent with Doris in their Maui home. Ron was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Mabel (Stewart) Skinner; three sisters, Melba Stritch, Doris Gladwin and Mabel Diane Mitchell; four brothers, George Skinner, Dalton Skinner, Leslie Skinner, and Leonard Skinner; mother-in-law Doris Searle; brothers-in-law, Neil Gladwin, James Bryant, George Mitchell, Earl Whitney, and Al Thorarinson; sister-in-law Maxine Johnson. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his devoted and loving wife of over 53 years, Doris Skinner; daughter Leanna (John) Neufeld and daughter Ronna; daughter Kimberley (Jim) South and sons, Regan, Morgan and Owen; son Ronald (Gaylene) Skinner and children, Whitney and R.J.; brother Chester (Anne) Skinner of Edmonton, AB; sisters, Jessie Whitney of Vancouver, BC and Noreen Bryant of Kamloops, BC; brothers-in-law, Gene (Sylvia) Thorarinson of Sherwood Park, AB and John Stritch of Anaheim, CA; sisters- in-law, Willene Skinner of Yorkton, SK, Olga Skinner of Emerson, MB, Shirley Skinner of Red Deer, AB, Carita (Doug) Ditchfield of Stony Mountain, MB, and Roxanne (Cliff) Ireland of Castlegar, BC; numerous nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 21, from St. Andrews United Church with Rev. Adel Compton officiating. The interment service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery. Donations, in Rons memory, may be made to the Health Foundation of East Central Saskatchewan, Inc., P.O. Box 5027, Yorkton, SK S3N 3Z4. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie-Hill Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Yorkton, SK.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 28, 2003