SKELTON, Roger Bruce

SKELTON, Roger Bruce
1946-2025

Roger Bruce Skelton died peacefully in palliative care at Douglas Memorial Hospital in Fort Erie, Ontario, on July 29, 2025, at 78 years of age.

Roger was born to Vernon Earl and Ruth Irene (née Wallis) in Sandwich, Illinois on July 30, 1946. He grew up in Fort Myers, Florida, where, as a teenager, he discovered a passion and talent for ballet. Thanks to his dedication, at the age of 20, he was awarded a scholarship to Jacob’s Pillow University of Dance in Lee, Massachusetts.

In 1968, Roger emigrated to Canada, settling first in Montreal, later in Toronto, and finally in Guelph, where he worked and made his home for a number of years. Intrepid and adaptable, Roger made his living in a variety of jobs, including library assistant, taxidermist, draftsperson, engineering surveyor, and quality control chemist.

In 1988, wanting to reunite with family, Roger moved to Missouri, where his parents, daughter and three siblings were living. After his own retirement, Roger, ever industrious, built his own cabin next to his parents’ home in El Dorado Springs, growing much of his own food and faithfully managing his own rain water collection system for many years.

A new chapter opened up in Roger’s life in 2018 when he returned to Ontario, and made his final home with an old love, Janice Woolford, in St. Catharines.

Roger is survived by Janice; his daughter, Esther Pedrino (Aaron) of Independence, Missouri; his grandchildren: Joseph, Samuel, Ezekiel, Grace, and Elijah; three great-grandchildren; his siblings: Vernon (Kenji) of San Francisco, California, Robert (Mary Lou) of Independence, Missouri, Linda Donnelson (Wayne) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and David (Connie) of Warrensburg, Missouri; plus nieces and nephews.

A sweet and gentle soul at heart, Roger maintained his thoughtfulness toward others and his quirky sense of humour even near the end of his days. An avid baker, gardener, sailor, motorcycle rider, flute player, canoeist, Tai Chi student, lover of nature, music and dance, Roger had a beautiful smile to lift any heart.

Loyal, kind, and fun-loving, Roger’s stated goal upon being admitted to palliative care was to “Enjoy what life we have.” Sincere thanks to Dr. Kim Scher and the kind nursing staff who cared for Roger at Douglas Memorial Hospital.

Roger will be profoundly missed. Any donation in his memory to a charity of your choosing would honour Roger’s generous spirit. In keeping with Roger’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to Tranquility burial & cremation services (Niagara) Inc. Condolences can be shared at tranquilitycremation.com