Edward "Rusty" F. Skeals

Rotterdam - Edward “Rusty” Skeals, 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 13, 2025 at his residence, surrounded by his beloved daughters. He was born on August 22, 1932, to Edward J. and Frances Skeals of Schenectady, New York. His parents’ own love story began with family — Edward J.’s brother Ted had married Frances’s sister Alice, and it was Ted and Alice who introduced the couple who would become Rusty’s beloved parents.

During the lean years of the Great Depression, Ted, Alice, and their young son Teddy moved in with Edward, Frances, and little Rusty. With no siblings of their own, Rusty and Teddy became inseparable — cousins by birth, but brothers in every way that mattered. Together they shared boyhood mischief, endless laughter, and carefree summers at Lake Luzerne, where time seemed to move a little slower.

After graduating from Mont Pleasant High School, Rusty enlisted in the United States Army, serving his country proudly during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. His courage and dedication earned him two Bronze Stars. Stationed overseas, he found his place not only on the battlefield but on the court, as part of the U.S. Army Volleyball Team that went on to win the championship against a formidable Japanese team.

When Rusty returned home, he began his career at Niagara Mohawk before joining Western Electric. Work eventually brought him to Poughkeepsie, and fate — in the form of a blind date — brought him to Mildred Hall, the love of his life. They married in October 1957 and built a home filled with warmth, laughter, and the shared joy of raising three daughters: Colleen (Jamie) Leclair, Patricia (Patrick) Comas, and Kathleen.

Family was the very heart of Rusty and Millie’s world. Their days were anchored by the comfort of nightly dinners together and the joy of holiday gatherings, where laughter lingered long after dessert. No Thanksgiving or Christmas was complete without the rattle of poker chips and the shuffle of cards at family game night. The girls learned to play Texas Hold ’Em before they were even teenagers — winning pennies at the holiday table was a mark of honor, proof you could hold your own. But poker was only part of the fun. Whether it was Trivial Pursuit, Trouble, Jeopardy, or Headbands, Rusty played every game with a glint in his eye and a healthy dose of competitive spirit, knowing the real prize was the time spent together.

Though money was often tight, Rusty and Millie believed the memories made on family vacations were worth more than anything they could buy. Every year, without fail, the station wagon would be packed to the brim — a trusty AAA TripTik folded on the dashboard, snacks tucked into the backseat — and the Skeals family would set off. Many trips took them to Florida, including an early return to Miami Beach where they had honeymooned. The journey always began with a stop in Baltimore to visit Ted and Alice before heading farther south. They were among the first to walk through the gates of Disney World, back when each ride required its own paper coupons. And just as often, Rusty and Millie wove history into their adventures — visiting Gettysburg, Annapolis, and the Smithsonian Museums — ensuring that summers were stitched together with new places, shared stories, and the simple joy of being together.

One of Rusty’s lifelong passions was Saratoga Race Course — “the August place to be.” He loved to tell the story of his first trip to the track in 1933, when his parents brought him along as a baby. Many summer days were happily spent in the clubhouse, where Rusty and Patti studied the racing forms, Millie and Colleen strolled the grounds, and Kathy read a book in the stands.

Rusty took up golf later in life, and it didn’t take long for his natural athletic ability to shine on the greens. He joined leagues, organized outings, and embraced the game with the same enthusiasm he brought to everything he loved. More than once, he and his band of “merry men” headed south to the Carolinas, where they spent their days on the fairways, their mornings at all-you-can-eat breakfasts, and their evenings savoring a welcome break from the Northeast winters.

He retired in 1988, looking forward to traveling the country with Millie — but just months later, she passed away unexpectedly. Although their dream of seeing the Grand Canyon never came to be, Rusty never stopped living a life of devotion to those he loved. He never dated or remarried, dedicating himself entirely to his daughters, sons-in-law, and especially his grandchildren, Alexander Leclair and Kelli (Zeb) Lombardi.

Rusty was there for them in all the small but lasting ways — picking them up from school, slipping Alex a little extra cash for the arcade, indulging Kelli with “just one more” carousel ride at Rotterdam Square Mall. In later years, Rusty beamed with pride when visiting the restaurants where Alex worked as head chef and felt pure joy at meeting his first great-grandchild, Millie Lombardi, named after the great-grandmother she never met. His eyes lit up when she toddled into the room, and even as a baby, she seemed to sense the gentleness in his soul.

A true handyman, Rusty could fix just about anything — a talent his daughters happily relied on. Whether sheetrocking walls for Colleen and Jamie, helping Patti and Patrick renovate their home, or rallying friends to build a deck at Kathy’s first house, he worked with quiet generosity and a twinkle in his eye. He was the one to wait for the furniture delivery, greet the repairman, or — in one particularly memorable moment — don his old AT&T hat to “supervise” the phone company when Kathy’s line wasn’t being connected quickly enough. And he always wrapped up the job with his signature smile and the promise of a great turkey club sandwich.

To know Rusty was to love him. His kindness was effortless, his smile easy, and his gratitude genuine. Even during long hospital stays or nursing home visits, staff members called him a favorite patient, drawn to his warmth and the deep appreciation he showed for their care.

Rusty’s life was not measured in accolades, but in the countless lives he touched, the love he gave, and the kindness he shared. His was a heart that made room for everyone. The world is gentler, warmer, and far better for having known him.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Rusty’s family on Monday from 10 am to 12 noon at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave. Colonie. A service of love and appreciation for Rusty will commence at 12 noon. Interment with military honors will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, (help.dav.org) or Veterans of Foreign Wars, (vfw.org) in memory of Rusty. To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www. CannonFuneral.com