WINTERPORT – Thomas Skratt, 77, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023. Tom was born in Staten Island, NY, son of the late Theodore and Geraldine (Cahoon) Skratt.
He attended schools in Ontario, Canada, Stamford, CT, and earned a Forestry degree at UMASS at Amherst. After serving in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970, Tom started his career as a research forester with the US Forest Service in Hamden, CT. After moving to Winterport, ME, in 1978, and wanting to become involved in his community, he joined the Winterport Fire Department in 1979 and was an active member for 44 years. Tom also served on various organizations and committees for the town of Winterport, including multiple terms on the board of selectmen, and the board of assessors, for which he was serving a current term as chair. Retiring from the forest service in 2000, he continued to work several other jobs. One rewarding job was as a passenger service agent at Bangor International Airport for 5 years, which allowed him to welcome home military personnel, which was not his experience when he and his military brothers returned.
Tom was married to the love of his life, Marcia, for 38 years. He was a devoted family man, nothing made him happier than spending time with family and friends. When he wasn’t planning trips to Connecticut to see his granddaughter’s dance recitals, or his grandson’s baseball games, he was enjoying Monday night poker games and weekday breakfasts with his best pals. He was immeasurably devoted to his friends and family, as well as genuine, kind, and he will always be remembered by many as a cornerstone of the Winterport Fire Departments. In his way of continually wanting to help others, Tom was a donor for the New England Donor Services (neds.org)
A graveside service will be held 4 pm, Friday, April 28, 2023 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Winterport. A procession from the Hampden-Gilpatrick Chapel at 45 Western Ave. Hampden, ME. will begin at 3:30 pm.
Tom is survived by his wife, Marcia (Chadbourne) Skratt; daughter, Julia (James IV) Marshall; grandchildren, James Marshall V and Catherine Marshall of North Haven, CT; mother-in-law, Alta Chadbourne of Bangor; brother, T. Joseph (Shirley) Skratt of Picton Ontario, Canada; John (Helene) Skratt of El Dorado Hills, CA; brother-in-law, Glenn (Wendy) Chadbourne of Port St. Lucie, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by daughter, Laurel Jane Skratt; brother, Stephen Skratt and his wife, Patricia; and father-in-law, Basil Chadbourne.
He will be missed for his booming voice, which was handy if you needed the attention of a group, and his quiet kindness in the most difficult situations. He was always there for a weather forecast if words of wisdom for any situation.
A funeral service will be held 2pm, Monday, March 6, 2023 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St. Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St. Bangor, immediately following the service.
The family is requesting gifts in his memory be made to the Winterport Fire and Rescue Association at P.O. Box 724 Winterport, ME. 04496.
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