In memory
Jim Skelton
PP James Frederick (Jim) Skelton
May 8, 1920 - March 5, 2008
"I first had the privilege of meeting James Frederick Skelton when he was invited to join the Rotary Club of Richmond in 1975. In 1982-1983 he served at the Club's President during which period our Club was the beneficiary of his skills and talents as a leader, which he no doubt acquired during his naval career which earned him the rank of Lt. Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy.
It was that training which allowed him to keep our club focused on the principles and aims and objectives of Rotary International in order to make a profound and positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves, both locally and in the world at large.
Jim was a mentor to those who chose to follow in his path and he taught us the value of never allowing anyone to make you compromise your own sense of what is right or wrong particularly if you are supposed to be in a position of leadership and mentorship, except for valid and ethical reasons of course.
While his demeanor in the performance of his duties voluntary or otherwise was usually very straightforward, calm to begin with and to the point he was certainly not averse to adding a little marine salt to his oration in order to achieve his objectives of keeping you on track.
I recall at one of the Assembly meetings in my home when the men were in the recreation room and the ladies who in those days used to have a separate meeting were in the living room just off of the recreation room, Jim rose to make one of his usual "closing" remarks whenever a discussion that was getting nowhere fast.
He started off very quietly as he usually did before rising into a crescendo, when all of sudden just as he was getting to the real "salt and pepper" part of his monologue, shall we say, the door to the room was suddenly and abruptly closed. It was none other than Hazel of course, who no doubt was well versed as to his timing under such conditions before he reached the high point! That put an end to the discussion since it certainly brought about a sudden change of topic!
For his service to Rotary, in 1983, our Club presented Jim with the Paul Harris Award, Rotary's highest Award for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations between peoples of the world...