JOSEPH ‘JOE’ B. SKEHAN, HOULTON – Joseph ‘Joe’ B. Skehan, 92, passed away Tuesday April 11, 2017, at Madigan Estates Nursing Home. He was born October 20, 1924, in Houlton, the son of James W. and Mary Effie (Coffey) Skehan. He married Virginia Barrow on June 11, 1947, and they celebrated sixty years together.
After serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, Joe came back to Houlton and worked in the A&P Store. He eventually took over his father’s business, Skehan’s Cash Market. He was famous for taking phone orders, doing home deliveries, and also known for the best wine selection in Aroostook County. In 1983 he closed the store and went to work at the USPS, where he retired from in 1995.
Joe was a devout Catholic and longtime communicant of St. Mary Of The Visitation Parish, where he attended Mass every day possible. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, as well as a lifetime member of the Houlton Elks Lodge. He enjoyed family get-togethers, and time spent at the family camp at Drews Lake. He also enjoyed fiddleheading and picking raspberries. He lived at home with his son and daughter-in-law Kevin and Christine.
He is survived by ten children and their spouses; Kevin Skehan and his wife Christine, Joseph Skehan and his wife Joan, James Skehan and his wife Lynn, John Skehan and his wife Sandy all of Houlton, Barbara Soule of Brewer, Mary Longstaff and her husband David of Norway, Jeanne Wypyski of Sherman, TX, Ann McCarthy and her husband Bob, Teresa Lincoln and her husband Brent and Jane Dickison and her husband Brent all of Houlton. He also leaves behind 20 grandchildren; Kelly Skehan of Ellsworth, Cathy Murray of VA, Michael Skehan of Rumford, Michelle Haverinen of South Paris, Sarah Flagg of Livermore, Elissa Madore and Nicholas Skehan of Houlton, Jasmine Ellis of Hermon, James Skehan of Houlton, Rebecca Skehan of NH, Megan Skehan of Houlton,Kate Wypyski of Biddeford, Molly Wypyski of Orono, Stephanie Hespe of NJ, Jeffery McCarthy of Houlton, Paige McCarthy of NH, Morgan Lincoln of Houlton, Kameron Lincoln of Vinalhaven, Samantha Davis of Ellsworth, and Jessica Dickison of Houlton, 24 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and two brothers, Rev. James W. Skehan of Boston and Francis “Hank” Skehan of TX, as well as a sister Marie Cooney of Wareham, MA. In addition to his parents and his wife Virginia, he was predeceased by a son Michael Skehan, son-in-law Brent Soule; sisters, Mary Watson of Yuma, AZ, and Sister Teresa Skehan of NY.
Friends may call 6-8 p.m., Sunday, April 16, 2017, at Dunn Funeral Home. A Mass Of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., Monday, Apr. 17, 2017, at St. Mary Of The Visitation with the Rev. David Raymond celebrant. A military committal will take place outside the church following the service. A private interment will take place immediately following at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Houlton. The family extends an invitation for relatives and friends to join them following the interment for a time of refreshment at St. Anthony’s Hall. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Joe’s memory may be made payable to St. Mary Of The Visitation Parish or charity of one’s choice, c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Arrangements in care of Dunn Funeral Home. Online condolences and guest book: dunnfuneral.com
