Obituary for (Ret.) Concord PD Inspector John "Jack" Skinner
(Ret.) Concord Police Inspector/Composite Sketch Artist John "Jack" Skinner
Of Waltham, passed away peacefully early Wednesday March 24th, 2021 in the comfort of his home with his beloved wife and daughters by his side after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 71.
Born in Cambridge; son of the late John G. Skinner and Eleanor (Buckley) Skinner. Jack was raised in Watertown and spent 3 years in Concord before moving to Waltham in 1976. Over the years, Jack also enjoyed time with his family in East Dennis.
A graduate of Watertown High School with the Class of 1968; Jack furthered his education at Northeastern University graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice. He went on to receive his Master's degree from Western New England College.
Jack served proudly and honorably with the Massachusetts Army National Guard in the 26th Yankee Division Military Police.
In 1972 at the age of 23, Jack began an illustrious career with the Town of Concord Police Department. He attended the Waltham Police Academy and he was appointed to the Concord Department as a Police Officer- Patrolman in 1972; retiring as an Inspector/Composite Sketch Artist after 43 years of dedicated and faithful service to the Citizens of Concord. Throughout his Law enforcement career, Jack studied Forensic Facial Imaging at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He received his Composite Artist Certification through the Stuart Parks Forensic Association and became a Police Composite Sketch Artist. His unique talent and skills assisted many police departments throughout Metro Boston with numerous investigations and successful identification of suspects.
He was a longtime member of the Concord Police Relief Association; Massachusetts Coalition of Police MCOP; the Irish-American Police Officers Association; the Concord Art and Cape Cod Art Associations.
From a young age, Jack had a passion for baseball and art. He played baseball himself, was a diehard Boston Red Sox fan, collected baseball trading cards, and started his art career attempting to draw his favorite baseball players from his baseball cards at age 8.
Over the years, as a talented artist, Jack continued drawing and painting, sharing his artwork with others. He also hit the road, with his love of driving and exploring leading to extensive traveling with his family and endless road trips.
Jack's life revolved around helping others; he would do anything to make any person smile. He truly put others first, devoting his life to his family, community and country. He was kind, and helpful. Jack was an amazing husband, father, brother and true, loyal friend to so many.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years Catherine (Bella) Skinner; his devoted & loving daughters Jacquelyn “Jackie” Skinner and Catherine Skinner; his dear siblings Julianne Small; Jeffrey Skinner and his wife Laurie (Oster); and Jannette Garneau and her husband David; his brother-in-law John Bella and his wife Deborah (Holloway) Bella and sister-in-law Elisa Bella Casella and her husband Rick Casella. In addition, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends and his community of brothers & sisters in law enforcement.
For the safety of those we love and care about during this difficult time; and for those who wish to pay their respects to Jack and his family in the Brasco & Sons Memorial Funeral Home, 325 Trapelo Road, Belmont, Mass., on Monday March 29th from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. We ask that friends please be mindful and respectful of the current limitations on social gatherings. For those who wish to pay their final respects but are unable to attend, please be sure to sign the guestbook at www.BrascoFuneralHome.com.
Following the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Boston, family and friends are welcome to gather and celebrate Jack's life and remember the love he shared with those he touched at a Funeral Mass in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 920 Trapelo Road, Waltham on Tuesday, March 30th at 11:00 am. Due to seating capacity additional seating will be provided outside of church for those attending Mass. His burial with Military and Police Honors will follow at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Jack's memory to the Mt. Auburn Hospital Development Office Attn: Oncology Research, 330 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138 or Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.
Of Waltham, passed away peacefully early Wednesday March 24th, 2021 in the comfort of his home with his beloved wife and daughters by his side after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 71.
Born in Cambridge; son of the late John G. Skinner and Eleanor (Buckley) Skinner. Jack was raised in Watertown and spent 3 years in Concord before moving to Waltham in 1976. Over the years, Jack also enjoyed time with his family in East Dennis.
A graduate of Watertown High School with the Class of 1968; Jack furthered his education at Northeastern University graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice. He went on to receive his Master's degree from Western New England College.
Jack served proudly and honorably with the Massachusetts Army National Guard in the 26th Yankee Division Military Police.
In 1972 at the age of 23, Jack began an illustrious career with the Town of Concord Police Department. He attended the Waltham Police Academy and he was appointed to the Concord Department as a Police Officer- Patrolman in 1972; retiring as an Inspector/Composite Sketch Artist after 43 years of dedicated and faithful service to the Citizens of Concord. Throughout his Law enforcement career, Jack studied Forensic Facial Imaging at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He received his Composite Artist Certification through the Stuart Parks Forensic Association and became a Police Composite Sketch Artist. His unique talent and skills assisted many police departments throughout Metro Boston with numerous investigations and successful identification of suspects.
He was a longtime member of the Concord Police Relief Association; Massachusetts Coalition of Police MCOP; the Irish-American Police Officers Association; the Concord Art and Cape Cod Art Associations.
From a young age, Jack had a passion for baseball and art. He played baseball himself, was a diehard Boston Red Sox fan, collected baseball trading cards, and started his art career attempting to draw his favorite baseball players from his baseball cards at age 8.
Over the years, as a talented artist, Jack continued drawing and painting, sharing his artwork with others. He also hit the road, with his love of driving and exploring leading to extensive traveling with his family and endless road trips.
Jack's life revolved around helping others; he would do anything to make any person smile. He truly put others first, devoting his life to his family, community and country. He was kind, and helpful. Jack was an amazing husband, father, brother and true, loyal friend to so many.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years Catherine (Bella) Skinner; his devoted & loving daughters Jacquelyn “Jackie” Skinner and Catherine Skinner; his dear siblings Julianne Small; Jeffrey Skinner and his wife Laurie (Oster); and Jannette Garneau and her husband David; his brother-in-law John Bella and his wife Deborah (Holloway) Bella and sister-in-law Elisa Bella Casella and her husband Rick Casella. In addition, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends and his community of brothers & sisters in law enforcement.
For the safety of those we love and care about during this difficult time; and for those who wish to pay their respects to Jack and his family in the Brasco & Sons Memorial Funeral Home, 325 Trapelo Road, Belmont, Mass., on Monday March 29th from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. We ask that friends please be mindful and respectful of the current limitations on social gatherings. For those who wish to pay their final respects but are unable to attend, please be sure to sign the guestbook at www.BrascoFuneralHome.com.
Following the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Boston, family and friends are welcome to gather and celebrate Jack's life and remember the love he shared with those he touched at a Funeral Mass in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 920 Trapelo Road, Waltham on Tuesday, March 30th at 11:00 am. Due to seating capacity additional seating will be provided outside of church for those attending Mass. His burial with Military and Police Honors will follow at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Jack's memory to the Mt. Auburn Hospital Development Office Attn: Oncology Research, 330 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138 or Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.