Steven D. Skannes Dies; Longtime Sitkan was 70

Steven Daine Skannes

Steven Daine Skannes, who lived most of his life in Sitka, passed away unexpectedly March 25 in Bellingham, Washington, at the age of 70.
Steve was born in Sitka on January 20, 1954. For a couple of years in the mid-1960s the family lived in Kirkland, Washington, but returned to Sitka, and Steve graduated from Sitka High School in 1972.
From a young age, Steve loved spending time outdoors, boating, fishing, hunting, snowmachining and hiking.
 He got his first boat at age 9 and owned several others over the years. He was a hard worker and followed in his father’s footsteps when he joined the family business, Crescent Plumbing and Heating.
He, along with his brother John, helped grow that business, which was very successful.
Steve met Pattie in 1978, when she moved to Sitka from Wisconsin to begin a career with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and joined the Crescent Plumbing women’s softball team. They were married in October 1979 and had many adventures over the next 44 years.
Steve and Pattie retired in 2017 and moved to Birch Bay, Washington, where they bought a house in a wonderful neighborhood near the ocean. They enjoyed many good times with family and the new friends they made there. Steve enjoyed some new activities including golfing, bowling, swimming, canning and baking goodies for neighborhood children.
He was a devoted dog-dad to several lucky pups that were part of his life. He volunteered at The Bridge Community Hope Center in Birch Bay, offering help with their food bank program and building maintenance.
Steve was generous with his time and talents. He had a dry sense of humor, a memorable smile and laugh, and was a loyal friend to those he was close to. Steve was someone who many turned to when they needed help, advice or someone to simply listen to their concerns.
His children and grandson brought him great joy. Steve was a loving father, grandfather, husband, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife Pattie, son Jason Skannes, daughter Marie Skanis and husband Eddy Hix, grandson Liam Skannes, brother John Skannes and his wife Joan, his Aunt Pat Martin, his cousin Gary Atkinson and wife Shelly, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father George Skannes Jr., his mother, Rose Elliott, sister Georgia Skannes, as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of his life will be held this summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s name can be made to www.thebridgehope.com.

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20 YEARS AGO

November 2004

Photo caption: Mary Lou Colliver presents Sitka Fire Dept. Acting Chief Dave Swearingen a check for $325 to help restore the 1926 Chevrolet fire truck originally purchased by Art Franklin. Colliver donated the money after her business, Colliver Shoes, borrowed the truck to use during Moonlight Madness.  The truck is in need of an estimated $20,000 worth of restoration work, Swearingen said.

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