Donald F. Skinner

Donald F. Skinner, 72, of Homosassa, FL and Dayville, CT, passed away on Mon., March 21, 2016 at Citrus Memorial Hospital, Inverness, FL. A native of Putnam, CT, he was born May 18, 1943 to Francis Joseph and Bernice (Waterhouse) Skinner, one of two children. Donald attended Killingly High School and then Harvard H. Ellis Technical School, both in Connecticut. As a boy, he loved working on his Grandpa and Grandma Waterhouse’s poultry farm in Dayville. In 1964 he began proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force. Upon completing U.S. Air Force basic training in Lackland, TX, he was then stationed at several locations in his field of study as an aircraft mechanic. During the Vietnam War, Mr. Skinner was first deployed to Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 and then again to Thailand from 1970 to 1971. Donald was honorably discharged in 1972 from Rome AFB, Rome , NY, at the rank of staff sergeant. He then worked for various car and trucking companies in his native Connecticut until he retired and began dividing each year between his homes in Dayville and Homosassa. Donald is survived by his loving wife of nearly 20 years, Esther Brunet; son Donald L. Skinner; son Seavor A. Skinner, Putnam, CT; son Shane A. Skinner (wife Stephanie), Coventry, R.I.; son Timothy D. Brunet (wife Amy), Brooklyn, CT and daughter Jennifer L. Brunet (partner Denise Bierly), Vernon, CT; sister Janice Dixon (husband Buzz), Danielson, CT and grandchildren Kody N. and Lexie B. Brunet and Emmit W. Skinner. Donald is also survived by best friend of over 50 years, Steve Smith, Putnam, CT and his beloved basset hound, Hudson. In addition to his parents, Mr. Skinner was preceded in death by his favorite aunt, Beatrice Waterhouse. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Connecticut. Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, FL, in charge of arrangements. www.wilderfuneral.com