Richard Hyde Skillin

OCEAN PARK – On the morning of Aug. 14, 2025, Richard Hyde Skillin of Ocean Park passed away peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the JGS Lifecare Leavitt Family Home in Longmeadow, Mass., at the age of 83.

Richard was born the middle of three children to Marjorie Frances (Hyde) Skillin and James Osgood Skillin in Lynn, Mass., on April 28, 1942. He spent his childhood in Medford, Mass., and summers in Ocean Park. He graduated from Medford High School in 1960, earned a BA in Social Studies from Northeastern University in 1964, and his Masters of Education from the University of Southern Maine in 1972.

Richard taught American History and Civics at Spaulding High School in Barre, Vt., for more than 20 years where he also coached track and field, followed by a few years teaching at Sanford High School after moving to Maine year round. He eventually transitioned to insurance and tax preparation, but always remained a teacher at heart.

Richard will be remembered as a proud father, doting grandfather, Civil War buff, family historian, music lover and avid ice cream aficionado. His life, however, was perhaps best defined by his love of, and dedication to, Ocean Park. Richard spent his childhood and adult summers in Ocean Park as had three generations of his family before him, and became a year round resident in 1980 with his then wife, Eileen, and their three children. From 1967 to 1985, he assumed management of the Soda Fountain and Variety Store summer business from his grandparents, George and Lois Skillin. He subsequently served in a number of roles for the Ocean Park Association including business manager, post office manager and facilities manager. Up until his health began to decline in 2019, not a day went by that Richard wasn’t volunteering in the community or helping a neighbor in need. Nothing gave him more fulfillment or greater joy than giving back to the community and the mission of his beloved Ocean Park. He truly was “Mr. Ocean Park”, as he was officially crowned in 2019.

Richard is survived by his sister Marjorie Hey of Ocean Park; former wife Eileen Skillin of Saco and their children: Douglas Skillin and his daughters, Madison and Kaitlyn Skillin, of East Longmeadow, Mass.; Bruce (Komkham Saekkrathok) Skillin and their daughter, Sawarin Phothita, of El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain; Karen (John) Rojas and their daughter, Marisa Rojas, of San Francisco, Calif.

Richard is preceded in death by his mother Marjorie (Hyde) Skillin of Medford, Mass. and sister Judith (Skillin) Escott of Revere, Mass.

In accordance with his wishes, Richard’s ashes will be buried alongside his grandparents at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco.

A public memorial service will be held on Sept. 20, 2025, at the Temple, 50 Temple Avenue, Ocean Park, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception next door at Porter Hall.

For any additional information please feel free to contact Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028, 413-525-2800 who are handling local arrangements in Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly request that donations in Richard’s memory may be made to the Ocean Park Association, PO Box 7296, Ocean Park, ME 04063 (https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/OceanParkAssociation/inmemoriam.html).