Philip Skit Ferguson

The family of Skit Ferguson, sadly announce his passing in Dartmouth on December 25th, 2024, at the age of 100 years. Born in Reserve Mines, Cape Breton, Skit was the son of the late Bernie and Robina (Laben) Ferguson.

Skit is survived by his four children; Karla Napier (Stephen), Edinburgh; Steve Ferguson (Gisele) Sackville, NB; Elaine Mattatall (David) Dartmouth; Brenda Vaughan (Alex) Dartmouth; grandchildren Tyler Ferguson, Michael Vaughan, Juliana Napier, Daniel Mattatall, Paul Napier, Parker Vaughan, and great-grandchildren, Hunter, Bria, Leni and Lou. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Evelyn Comfort and sister-in-law Jacqueline Charlton, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Skit was predeceased by his devoted and caring wife of 74 years, Helen (Charlton) and beloved grandson James Philip Mattatall.

Skit was born and raised in the small coal mining town of Reserve Mines, Cape Breton. His dad and uncles were coal miners who gained some local notoriety by entertaining their brothers in the ‘pit’ and on the surface, performing skits and reciting poetry when their grueling work was paused or when attending union meetings. These performances earned his father the nickname “Skit”. As Cape Breton traditions go … Skit subsequently inherited his dad’s nickname, leading to a lifetime of explaining that he was ‘Skit’ not ‘Skip’.

With the support and encouragement of his parents, as well as the local priests, Father Jimmy Thompkins and Father Leo Sears, Skit completed high school in Reserve Mines/Glace Bay and then left the island to continue his education, heeding his dad’s insistence that he was never to work down underground. He received a B.Sc. from St. FX University and then his B. Eng. (Mechanical) from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, now Dalhousie University. This led to his registration with Engineers Nova Scotia as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).

Skit spent most of his storied career with Imperial Oil Ltd. In 1955 he was Project Engineer for the construction of the new Dartmouth Refinery. Several promotions included Mechanical Superintendent, Process Superintendent, and Operations Manager, where he was responsible for all operations and equipment maintenance, a staff of over two hundred and a budget exceeding seventy million dollars. For the four years leading to his retirement in 1990 Skit was Manager, Distribution and Marine Operations, Atlantic Canada. Upon “retirement” he became Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Consulting Engineers Nova Scotia. In this position he pursued his passion for engineering as an advocate, promoter and mentor for the next 33 years. He retired (this time for real) at the age of 98.

Throughout Skit’s career he received many awards and much recognition. In 2003 he received an Honorary Life Award from Engineers Nova Scotia followed by an Engineers Canada Fellowship in 2008. In 2016 he was the recipient of the F.H. Sexton Gold Medal, awarded by Engineers Nova Scotia to an engineer for exceptional achievements in their chosen field of engineering practice. In 2023 Consulting Engineers Nova Scotia presented Skit with the Distinguished Service Award. At that same ceremony the Mayor of HRM presented Skit with a plaque in recognition of his outstanding contributions to his community.

For eleven years Skit was a member of the Board of Directors of the Nova Scotia Research Foundation (now InNOVAcorp). He was a member of the Dartmouth Chamber of Commerce for 20 years, including five as an elected member of their Council. He also served for eight years as Chairman of the Selection Committee for the Nova Scotia Sports Heritage Society and coached both minor hockey and baseball in Dartmouth.

Skit was a left-handed pitcher in the famous H&D Baseball League in the late 1940s. During this time the grand old game was a dominant sport in Nova Scotia, attracting thousands of fans to regular season games. For the most part, American imports dominated the League, but Skit stood out as one of the most impressive players.

In his rookie season, as a 21-year-old with the 1946 Truro Bearcats, he compiled an unbelievable 18-1 record (including playoffs) while batting a league-leading .468. The Bearcats went on to win the provincial title and it wasn’t long before professional scouts were watching. Skit received three professional offers but declined them all due to his decision to pursue an engineering degree. In his career in the H&D League, he won 50 of an overall 55 games. He was never replaced as a starting pitcher, finishing every game he started. In 1980, Skit was an original inductee into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame for those talents. During his early career as an engineer, he worked in Quebec, where he played semi-pro ball. One of his most cherished memories was of playing summer semi-pro baseball with Maurice ‘Rocket” Richard. He loved to tell that story and had the photo to prove it.

Skit is also a member of the Cape Breton Sports Hall of Fame for baseball, the St. FX University Sports Hall of Fame for hockey and the Maritime Sports Hall of Fame.

Skit met the love of his life, Helen, in a chance encounter at a Halifax skating rink. His willingness to help a couple of young women who were in need of an escort home was a pivotal moment in both their lives.

Within three years Skit and Helen married, and together they raised their family in Dartmouth. Despite numerous opportunities to pursue his career in other parts of the country and world, Skit was passionately committed to remaining in his chosen community of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

As time allowed, both Skit and Helen became very active golfers and curlers. What began as purely recreational pursuits inevitably evolved into including great success in competitive arenas as well. No surprise given the natural athletic abilities they both possessed. Although late to start the game of golf, Skit played to a 12 handicap at Brightwood. In 1963 he and Helen teamed with Ross and Pat Mitton to win the Nova Scotia Mixed Curling title.

Their social circles expanded beyond golfing and curling to include a very special group of friends who all shared the same passion for bridge. Skit’s adult life was much enriched by those years of friendship with the Winges’, the Mattatalls, the MacKenzies, the Fosters, and the Mittons. The strong bonds that were forged amongst them have remained to this day.

Skit's family express thanks and gratitude to all staff at the Berkeley, Dartmouth for the kindness and wonderful care extended to Skit during his residence there. We also thank the staff at the Dartmouth General Hospital Emergency, 4 East and Palliative Care units. You cared for Skit with compassion and skill in the last few days of his life and we are very grateful.

Additionally, Skit's family would especially like to thank the group of friends he had coffee with almost every morning at the Main Street Tim Horton’s. His “coffee group”, as dad referred to this eclectic assembly of retirees, went out of their way to include Skit in their regular morning routine of coffee and conversation. Even after Dad stopped driving, they would ensure someone picked him up and returned him home. Special thanks to Moody, Bert and Chester for their generosity and kindness. Those morning outings played a vital role in Skit ageing well, keeping him connected and engaged in his community.

A memorial gathering for Skit will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. in A.L Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland Street, Dartmouth.

Donations in memory may be made to the Nova Scotia Community College James Mattatall Memorial Scholarship Fund by visiting the website NSCC Foundation.

“The man who works and is never bored is never old.”

Pablo Casals