Peter Nelson Skeen
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Published in Roanoke Times on November 2, 2024
June 27, 1968 – October 21, 2024
Peter Nelson Skeen, 56, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2024, surrounded by his family due to his courageous almost two-year battle with ALS.
Peter was born in Baltimore, MD, to parents Barton Berry Skeen Jr. and Helen Nelson Skeen. At four years old, they moved to Wayland, MA, where he lived until his junior year in high school. These formidable years shaped Peter to the core.
During his time in New England, Peter did everything but stay still. Due to his athletic abilities and aspirations, he played a sport each season including football, wrestling, soccer, and lacrosse. Even when there wasn’t a sports event to attend Peter would gather up the neighborhood kids to play hockey on a frozen pond. His love for fitness pushed him to keep going which helped him become a collegiate athlete. Before he attended college, Peter moved to Great Falls, VA due to his father’s job. This is where he would meet his future wife, as they had lockers just a few apart in high school. At this time, Peter became an elite wrestler in his area and weight class. He was then able to fulfill his goal and proudly joined the St. Lawrence wrestling team in 1986 for his freshman year of college. While at St. Lawrence, his wrestling team won a national championship forging his legacy while creating lifelong friendships at the university.
Peter was always a natural born athlete, energetic, loyal, strong, and passionate, but his later teenage years honed his leadership qualities where he used them for the rest of his life. At his five-year high school reunion, he was reintroduced to the love of his life, Laura Secord Skeen. Only after six months of dating, Peter proposed to Laura, eager for their future together. Their devoted marriage of over 31 years, including three children, was an inspiration for all. Peter loved his family more than anything and was a dedicated and loyal husband, father, friend, and neighbor. He coached his kids soccer, basketball, lacrosse teams, and was an usher at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Always reliable, Peter was willing to help his family, friends, or neighbors with whatever was needed, always with a smile on his face. His favorite place in the world was Martha’s Vineyard, where his family vacationed. Here, he made lifelong bonds with other families on the island. His favorite things to do were watching NFL and College football, tinkering with cars, and playing basketball on Sundays or being there for family and friends.
Peter was predeceased by his father, Barton Berry Skeen Jr., in 2015. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Laura; his children, Ryan, Thomas and Grace; his mother, Helen; and brother, Andrew. He is also survived by many uncles, cousins, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, and nieces.
The Skeen family would like to thank all their family and friends for their generous amount of support and love.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to ALS.org or CCALS.org. Condolences may be shared with his family by visiting www.Oakeys.com.
