Edward J. "Ed" Skibicki

Edward J. “Ed” Skibicki, bid farewell to this world on June 8, 2024. While he had recently triumphed over significant health challenges, he was taken from us suddenly while at home in Galestown, Maryland, joyfully preparing for his next Canadian fishing adventure.

Ed was born in 1933 to first-generation Polish Americans, John “Tibby” and Cele Skibicki, in Wilmington Delaware. He was a 1951 graduate of H.F. Brown Vocational H.S. and served in USAF from 1953 thru 1955. Notably, he was the first person in Delaware to be accepted into flying training as radar observer by virtue of a college equivalency test. Following his military service, Ed embarked on a distinguished career in drafting design and engineering that spanned several decades and left an indelible mark on various industries. His expertise was instrumental in numerous projects, from designing mixing and processing equipment for the food and drug industries to ground support systems for the Nike Ajax Missile Program. Notably, he led a team at Lockheed Martin in designing the aft fuselage primary structure for the C5 aircraft. Throughout his career, Ed's contributions extended far beyond the drafting table. He held positions of leadership and management, serving as a plant manager for General Metalcraft and as Director of Manufacturing for the Deltech Engineering Co. and the Sunroc Corporation. He was primary owner and president of his family run business of Quality Fence and Deck. Finally, combining his love for volunteering, building and creating, worked with his son Chris on community playground projects preparing sites and installing playground equipment along the Eastern seaboard.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ed was an active advocate for environmental causes and volunteered tirelessly for organizations such as the Maryland Food Bank, Love Inc., Code Purple, Maryland Creek Watchers, Maryland Stream Waders and Read-Aloud Delaware. His passion for nature and the outdoors was reflected in his efforts to preserve and protect natural habitats. He was active in various successful opposition efforts to industrialization that endangered pristine woodlands and wetlands. As Vice President of the Galestown Millpond Association, he played a key role in getting a dam/roadway rebuilt and having the pond restocked with fish, resulting in the restoration of a historic scenic millpond. As a member of the Elsmere Action Committee some years ago, Ed played a key role in defeating the Chessie Intermodal Transport Systems attempt to establish a 92-acre site next to the Town of Elsmere.

A good listener and an epic storyteller, Ed had many diverse interests, as he was a past member of Eagles, Elks, and the VFW Post 3257. He was a lifetime member of Polish Library association and former President of Polish Library Fishing Club and the Pulaski Legion Fishing Club. Ed enjoyed playing poker, gardening, golf, shuffleboard, reading, music, word-games and writing children’s poetry. He was a nature lover and environmentalist with an avid interest in all things related to nature and the outdoors. But above all else, his favorite pastime was fishing. It was passed down to him from his father Tibby and he stuck with it, passionately, for the rest of his life. He loved fishing, talking about fishing and sharing that love by introducing youngsters and adults alike into the sport of fishing.

Ed was predeceased by the love of his life and wife of 56 years, Alice Ann Wardell Skibicki; their daughter, Cecelia Porter; his brothers, Jack and Lenny Skibicki; and his uncle and lifelong friend, Eddie Swierczewski. He is survived by his brother, Robert (Carole) Skibicki; and his children: Chris (Mary) Skibicki, Terry (Jeff) Pack, Nancy (Art) Skibicki, Cathi Durnan, Melissa (Bill) Tanzilli, Tim (Anne) Skibicki; son-in-law, Jimmy Porter; 14 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Ed was also a father-figure and friend to countless others who were selflessly provided with his counsel, care and love. Ed and Alice believed that a close-knit family was the foundation of a solid country and lovingly worked at molding such a group.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Hedwig’s Church, Linden and S. Harrison Sts., Wilmington, DE on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 11:00AM. The family will receive visitors beginning at 9:30AM. Burial will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE at a later date and at the convenience of the family.

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