EDWARD M. SKURKA, JR.

Edward M. Skurka, Jr., 76, recently of West Warwick and formerly of Coventry, passed away on

Friday, April 19, 2024, at Sunny View Nursing Home in Warwick.  Born in Providence, RI, on

May 8, 1947, Edward was the beloved son of the late Edward M. and Dorothea R. (Schwenger)

Skurka.  Ed’s parents raised a loving family and instilled the value of family in all their children.

Ed graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School, Class of 1965. He furthered his education,

earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Rhode Island. Ed enlisted in the

United States Army as a Second Lieutenant and honorably served two years in Germany.

Ed was a lifelong self-employed Painting and Wallpaper Contractor. He was a man of many

talents.  He was a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) in Toastmasters International, the

equivalent of a master’s degree.  Ed was an advocate for Public Speaking.  He taught public

speaking skills to people of all ages, from elementary and high school students to doctoral

candidates and top-level executives.  Ed also volunteered for many years to help prison inmates

to express themselves through words rather than violence and to prepare them for life outside of prison.

The inventor of “The Other Chessboard,” Ed was also an accomplished Ballroom Dancer and a

Professional Photographer.  He had several dogs over the years: a harlequin Great Dane named Alpha, a rescue Golden Retriever named Gold, and finally, a Poodle Mix named Dakota, an ambassador at the Senior Towers in West Warwick. 

Ed is survived by his beloved siblings:  Rita S. Wilkins of Wilmington, DE; Robert Skurka and

his wife Karen of North Andover, MA; Barbara S. Barry and her husband John of Beltsville,

MD; and Mary B. St. Amand, DVM, and her husband Alan of Coventry; and many nieces and

nephews.

Ed was predeceased by his cherished nephew, Michael P. Barry.

At the request of the family, all funeral services are respectfully private.  In lieu of flowers, gifts

in his memory may be made to:    

Vintage Pet Rescue, PO Box 194, Foster, RI 02825 or at www.vintagepetrescue.org.  

Funeral arrangements under the care and direction of the Iannotti Funeral Home.

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