Medford mourns the passing of Robert E. Skerry Jr.

Robert Emmett Skerry Jr. had a simple philosophy — help people — and he not only preached it to those he took under his wing, but practiced it, quietly and without fuss.

Skerry died Feb. 13 following a long fight with cancer. He was 74, three weeks shy of his 75th birthday.

Long-time friends, family members and those who knew him from his work as a member of the Medford School Committee all remembered his generosity and the help he provided to many residents behind-the-scenes.

“Bob helped a lot of people with a lot of things,” said long-time friend Chris Murphy. “He never publicized anything he did. One time my great-grandfather was having a problem with Social Security and my grandfather mentioned it to Bob. He helped out, but that was the kind of person he was. I think he left this world better than he found it.”

Murphy, who knew Skerry for more than 20 years, called his friend one of the last old-time politicians, a person who didn’t particularly like social media or email.

“He liked to get out there and talk to people and he didn’t like the idea of talking to them over email,” Murphy said. “He liked to hear how mad or passionate people were.”

Murphy added Skerry liked to attend functions, especially school events when he was part of the school board and he was always dressed for the part in his trademark suit and tie.

And when he was voted off the School Committee, Murphy said Skerry carried on with his other passions: painting, writing and making farmhouse tables.

“He also made buddy benches for some of the schools,” said Rick Caraviello, a friend of Skerry’s for more than 50 years.

Caraviello said Skerry was a big part of helping him run for City Council his first time out.

“He took me door-to-door,” Caraviello recalled. “He took me to visit this older Irish man and the man says to Bob, ‘Why are you bringing this Italian guy over here?’ And Bob says, ‘I want you to vote for him.’ The guy looked me over and he says, ‘OK, I will.’ He was a big help to me.”

Caraviello echoed Murphy’s sentiment that Skerry was always helping people.

“He just did it,” Caraviello said. “He thought people just didn’t need to know.”

Caraviello laughs, thinking about his favorite memory of his friend.

“His cheap cigars,” he said. “I would give him a good cigar and he would not smoke it. He loved those cheap cigars of his.”

City Councilor George Scarpelli’s favorite memory also involves cigars.

“Bob was the [Medford] High School soccer coach,” he said. “And Coach Skerry would get into his little car, spark a cigar and while the kids ran behind him, he would be smoking that cigar!”

Scarpelli, who served on the School Committee with Skerry, said his friend was always the first to take new elected officials under his wing with some advice.

“He’d say, ‘Hey, kid, come here’ and then he’d give you the lay of the land and make sure you respected the process,” Scarpelli said. “Bob was a guy who loved Medford and his mission was to help the people of Medford.”

Former Superintendent of Schools Roy Belson recalled how active Skerry was on the School Committee, taking on the vice chairmanship and secretary role many times over.

“Bob was very supportive and helpful when the new PK-8 schools were built,” Belson said. “He also was a supporter of improvements to the high school, especially the athletic facilities, science labs and technology. As SC secretary, he had the responsibility for reviewing the bill warrants. His experience as an auditor was helpful.”

But Belson also recalled one of Skerry’s favorite saying.

“Bob had a favorite self descriptor: ‘I am a loner in love with my city,’” he said. “Bob had many friends and could be very social. He was generous and many times picked up the tab after games and meetings.”

Former City Councilor John Falco, Jr. served with Skerry on the School Committee.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of Bob’s passing,” he said. “Serving alongside him on the School Committee was an honor, and I will always remember his dedication, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the students and community.

“Bob’s passion for education and service left a lasting impact, and he will be truly missed,” he added. “My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Paulette Van der Kloot sat next to Skerry on and off for 22 of 32 years she was on the School Committee.

“Bob Skerry was a big guy with a big personality!” Van der Kloot said, of her friend. “He was passionate about his work on the Medford School Committee.

“For many years, Bob and I sat next to each other at School Committee meetings. We didn’t always agree, but we worked together with respect and commitment,” she continued. “Bob had a favorite phrase ‘The candy store is closed!’ when he felt the committee was spending money unwisely. This drove me nuts when we disagreed. Bob was often funny, sometimes outrageous, but always dedicated to his work. I am so sad that he has left us.”

She added the two developed a sibling-like relationship.

“Bob and I served together so long that he felt like a brother at times,” she said, with a laugh. “He was always there.”

The diagnosis

Two years ago, Skerry received a cancer diagnosis.

“He called me and told me it was cancer,” Caraviello said, of that day. “He knew what was coming. He was crying when he told me.”

Caraviello was one of the people going back and forth to visit Skerry before his death. And his friend was still thinking about Medford.

“On his deathbed, he said, ‘Me and you, we’re going to run again.’ He was just a very caring guy.”

Murphy said one of his favorite memories is the time he got to spend with Skerry the past two years.

“We just sat on his front porch on Terrace Road and talked,” Murphy said. “It was nothing political. It was just talking about life.”

Murphy added he still hasn’t quite processed Skerry’s death.

“He put up such a good fight,” he said. “I tried to be there for him as much as I could because he was such a good friend.”

Van der Kloot said she knew Skerry was ill, but hadn’t had the opportunity to speak to him so she spoke to his sister.

“I met his sister and I sent him a message through her,” she said. “Hopefully, he knew that I cared.”

Scarpelli called Skerry’s passing “a punch in the stomach.”

“I’m going to miss him,” he said. “There are so many good people who love Medford, who just want to do their jobs and look out for this city. Bob Skerry was like that.”

Medford through and through

Skerry was born and raised in Medford, attended the public schools and went on to the University of Massachusetts-Boston (formerly Boston State College), where he graduated with a degree in political science and English.

He went on to obtain his Certificate in School and Community Relationships from Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Skerry began his career as a teacher in Everett, where he also served as a soccer coach. He then came to the Medford Public Schools, where he taught subjects like civics, social studies and English.

Skerry also served as a member of the 101st Engineers Battalion in the Massachusetts National Guard.

Over 40 years, Skerry served as a member of the School Committee (1987-1988, 1991-1997, 1999-2009, 2011-2017), many times as vice chair and secretary, the Medford Democratic City Committee (1972-2025), and the Medford Chamber of Commerce.

In his professional capacity, Skerry served as a senior criminal investigator for the Bureau of Special Investigations in the Office of the State Auditor for 43 years and 6 months.

The son of the late Robert Emmett Skerry, Sr. and Frances Carolyn (Lewis) Skerry, Skerry was a very proud member of a prominent Medford political family. He was the nephew of former Massachusetts Speaker of the House Michael F. Skerry and Medford Plan E Mayor Patrick F. Skerry and cousin of former School Committee member and City Councilor David Skerry.

In his free time, he loved cheering on the Boston Red Sox, Boston College Eagles, or Notre Dame Fighting Irish! He went to the Beanpot Ice Hockey Tournament virtually every year.

Skerry is survived by his beloved friend and partner, Maria C. DeMarco, and was known as “Uncle Bob” to many, including her daughter Margaret M. (Meg) DeMarco and her wife Claire, and their three children, Avery, Emerson, and Sloane, whom he cared for as if they were his own grandchildren.

He was also survived by his sister and fellow lifelong Medford resident, Dawn Skerry Giovino and her husband Richard, and his nephew, Richard Robert Giovino and his wife, Vanessa. He is further survived by his sister Marilyn Ann Frank (William-deceased) of Attleboro.

He was also the uncle to Marilyn’s children, Robert P. Frank, Jennifer A. Frank-Furtado and her husband Mark, Melissa A. Faloon and her husband William, Meaghan C. Frank and Christopher R. Frank (deceased). He is also survived by many dear cousins and numerous friends as well as his cherished neighborhood friends and their families.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, on Monday, Feb. 24, from 4 to 8 p.m., and again on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 10:30 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. in Saint Joseph’s Church, 118 High St., Medford.

Those wishing to join the funeral procession should arrive at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m.

Services will conclude with a burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in his memory be made to Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center or Dana Farber Cancer Center.