English | Español

'Dean of Boilermakers' John Skermont passes

John J. Skermont
1947-2016

Retired Local 1 member served 25 years as BM-ST

JOHN J. SKERMONT, A retired 45-year member of Local 1 (Chicago) who served 25 years as the lodge’s BM-ST, passed away September 13 at the age of 69. He is survived by his wife Susan (nee Christy); three daughters, Patricia (Daniel) Pohrte, Amy (Gabriel) Cuevas, and Jaclyn (Kristopher) Lunquist; grandchildren John, Lola, Mckinley, Max, Juno and Margot; and sisters Kathleen (Robert) Mrugala and Peggy ( Jack) Crotty.

Skermont served on the boards of the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust and the Boilermakers National Health and Welfare Fund.

International President Newton B. Jones said the International Executive Council looked upon Skermont as the dean of the Boilermakers because of his long service as well as his steady, reserved and respected leadership style. “He was a true statesman whose solid and honorable demeanor left an imprint on this organization,” Jones said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be dearly missed.”

Skermont was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving as a sergeant in the Army artillery from 1968 to 1970.