Thomas Skalsky

Thomas Herman Skalsky, 71, was born July 12, 1937 in Jackson, MN to Herman and Josephine (Stewart) Skalsky. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Thomas attended schools in Jackson, MN and Ada, MN before graduating in 1955. Tom attended colleges at St. Thomas College in St Paul, MN; St. Cloud State Teachers College, St Cloud, MN; and Moorhead State Teachers College, Moorhead, MN before graduating in 1963 with a major in Mathematics. Tom had attended summer school at Colorado State College, Fort Collins, CO and Kent State University in Kent, OH.
Tom joined the Navy in 1957. He received training at the Naval Reserve Officer's Training School in Newport, RI and served as a personnelman for 16 months in the Comcrusepac aboard the USS Prairie, USS Dixie, and USS Piedmont (destroyer tenders) at Treasure Island, San Francisco, and San Diego, CA. He was awarded good conduct medal for his service.
Tom married Myrna Johnson August 21, 1962 in Mayville, ND. The couple lived in Ada, MN; Clear Lake, IA; and Richardton, ND before moving to Pine River in 1967. Tom's responsibilities while at the Pine River High School were Assistant Principal, Teacher, Athletic Director, and Coach for numerous sports before retiring in 1993. He taught at the school's ALC for several years after retirement.
Tom was a member of the Minnesota and National Education Associations, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Minnesota Coaches Association, and Minnesota State Athletic Directors Association. Tom was a member of Fraser-Nelson American Legion from 1967 to 2008, serving as the Finance Officer for 18 years, Boy's State Chairman, and Chairman of the Youth Activities Committee. Tom was a Charter Member of the Pine River Lions Club serving as the secretary for 19 years, 5M 9 District Zone Chairman, and 5M 9 Diabetes Co-chairman. He was twice awarded Lion of the Year and received two Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards.
Tom was a former Mayor and City Council Member for the city of Pine River, Cass County Solid Waste Commissioner, and Chief of Police, Richardton, ND.
Survivors include wife, Myrna, Pine River, MN; sons, Brett (Naomi) Skalsky, La Porte, TX, Bart, Pine River, MN; daughter, Darcee (Mark) Rehovsky, Casselton, ND; grandsons, Travis Skalsky and Chad and Devin Rehovsky; brother, Mike (Sharon) Skalsky, Stockton, CA; sister, Mary Jo (Dennis) Kreibich, Crookston, MN; sister-in-law, Cindy Skalsky, Battle Lake, MN; aunt, Ave Ann Peterson, Jackson, MN; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Josephine Skalsky and his brother, Edward Skalsky.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Services will be 11 AM on Tuesday, December 9, at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church, Pine River, with Fathers Bruce Engen and George Zeck officiating.