Isaac E. Skiff

Ike was born in Bloomingdale on Dec. 28, 1929 to Alfred, and Leona (Miner) Skiff.

Ike left school after eighth grade, which was typical of boys his age during that time. He worked in lumber mills, and at Tucker Farms in Gabriels. On Sept. 23, 1950 he married Helen L. Sawyer of Paul Smiths.

He is survived by their five children: John and his wife Linda (Beaudway) Skiff of Saranac Lake; Judy and her husband Steven Natoli, of North Carolina; Barbara Skiff, of Saranac Lake; Terry and his wife Debra Skiff, of Tennessee; and Lorna Barton of Tupper Lake. He also is survived by 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren very much. He bragged about them to anyone who would listen. He couldn’t ever remember any of their names, but he loved each one very much.

He served in the United States Army in Korea from 1951 to 1953 as an Armory Foreman, earning the rank of Private 1st Class. When he returned from the service he worked for J.J. O’Connel & Sons, where he was trained and became a carpenter. Later he worked for the State of New York in Ray Brook, as a general mechanic until his retirement. Ike was an avid fisherman and hunter for most of his life. He was long time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3357 as well as the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club. He enjoyed having breakfast with his friends every Wednesday at the diner in Gabriels, attending church and going out for dinner after Mass each week.

He was preceded in death by both his parents, his sister, Margaret Ostrander, his brothers, Richard, Francis, Charle (Luke), Alfred (Ferd), Roy, and William.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. At Ike’s request there are no calling hours. There will be a graveside service at St. Bernard’s Cemetery at a later date to be announced.