Thomas Hiram Skinner

Thomas Hiram Skinner was born July 22, 1956 to Catherine Carol Messier, and later was blessed to have been raised by Mathias Messier in Putnam, Connecticut. He delighted in the wooded country that he lived in, participating in many outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, camping, and fishing as a boy, a love which would only grow throughout his life.

At the age of 17 after finishing high school at killingly, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served his country honorably from September 1973 until September 1976. Thomas saved countless lives as an E4 Corporal during the Evacuation of Lebanon, assisting civilians in leaving a hostile corner of the world to safety.

After he left the service, Tom’s life became intertwined with his wife, Sheila Lowe, and his daughter, Caitlin Lowe, on May 29, 1995. He embraced his new role as husband, father, and protector with aplomb, and would proudly assert the many accomplishments of his wife and daughter. He would later go on to accept another daughter into his life, Theresa Brown, as his own.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila Lowe, his daughters, Caitlin Lowe and husband, Kaden Walker and Theresa Brown; his brother, John Skinner; his sisters, Ina Clang, Bessie Paul and husband David Paul, and Kathy Thibodeau and husband Peter Thibodeau; many nephews and nieces, including his nephew Jaxson, who was his favorite fishing game buddy.

Countless other individuals have been blessed to know Tom. He had a big heart and loved to make new friends. It was uncommon for him to leave without having made one new buddy. He shared his love of the outdoors with his family and would often be found sitting on the side of a body of water and casting a line or camping and roasting s’mores over a fire.

Tom was a man who gave all that he could, when he could. If he could help, he would be there ready and willing. Children and animals alike could see the goodness of his heart and would flock to him. The meanest dog, the unruliest child, it didn’t matter. They loved him and he loved them just as fiercely.

Tom left this life on October 31, 2021 on his favorite holiday to join his Maker. Services will be held on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 1 PM at Ward Wilson Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 12 PM until 1 PM, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a gofundme are appreciated to cover funeral costs and assist his surviving spouse through this difficult time.