Donald Merle ‘Skill’ Skillins

Donald Merle “Skill” Skillins, 88, of Hooksett, New Hampshire, died June 21, 2022, after a long illness, surrounded by his family.

Born in Presque Isle, Maine, on May 5, 1934, he was the son of Bernard and Edna (Goding) Skillins.

Donald grew up in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. After graduating from Northbridge High School in 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he trained new pilots using flight simulators. After an honorable discharge in 1956, Donald went to work for Sanders Associates (now BAE Systems), moving the family to Nashua, New Hampshire. Donald retired from Sanders after 35 years, after becoming a certified professional logistician, and a member of the Society of Logistics Engineers.

Over the course of his life, Donald enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities – hiking in the White Mountains, sailing, power-boating or sitting by the beach. After retirement, Donald learned to make beautiful Nantucket baskets, which were prized gifts. Donald and Bobbie spent many winters in Navarre, Florida, in their retirement. Donald will be remembered as a gentleman, a dedicated family man, fun to be around and always quick with a joke.

Donald was predeceased by his sister, Roberta Wilson.

Family members include his beloved wife of 67 years, Roberta (Andersen) Skillins of Hooksett; his children, Douglas B. Skillins and wife, Karen, of Brookline, Massachusetts; David C. Skillins and wife, Elaine, of Uxbridge, Maine; Fay E. Burns and husband, Gary, of Weare, New Hampshire; and Ann E. Tibbetts and husband, Michael, of Lewiston, Maine; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on July 1, 2022, at 11 a.m. in All Saints Anglican Church, Concord. Burial with military honors will follow in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Dana Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215 or to the charity of one’s choice.

To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.