John Skube

John Francis Skube was born 29th Dec. 1918 at Providence Hospital Seattle. His parents were John F. Skube, Sr. and Josephine Ellen (Concannon) Skube. John was the eldest. He had three siblings; sisters Marie Theresa (Hubbard), Helen Frances (Colacarro) and brother “Bill” Howard Joseph Skube. (all deceased.) The family attended Our Lady of Lourdes Parish where John’s grandmother, Bridget Agatha Concannon made the altar cloths and his mother was a soloist at St. James Cathedral. John went to St. George’s Primary School where he was an altar boy. He attended Cleveland High School and made more friends there. He played golf for the school team; playing on Jefferson Golf Course. This was in the 30’s. Summer vacation came along and John had his “Great Rail Adventure”, got back too late to start back at Cleveland and enrolled at Highline High School, a “country school”, for the final two years. He graduated in 1937. Many of his school friends became life long friends. John started a little ice business in ’37; had a job in the Union Oil Plant on the Seattle waterfront and from there he went to a Union Oil Co. station in West Seattle. He became an apprentice patternmaker at age twenty following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps in the patternmaking trade; his grandfather had a patternmaking business in Vienna and with his family had immigrated to the United States. John worked at Pacific Car and Foundry (PACCAR) for thirty-six years. It was here that he met his wife, Ruth, the foundry nurse. They married at St. Anthony’s Church in Kent where they raised their two daughters. St. Anthony’s was an important part of John’s life and he was always involved, acting as President of the Holy Names Men Society for many years. John always had many interest and passions. He loved aircraft, restoring them and flying; horses; boats; building; automobiles; but probably the involvement with hydroplane racing was the most consuming passion of all. This began in 1946 working with Ted Jones and continued through his life. He valued the experiences and great friends he made in this pursuit. John encouraged his family and friends to follow their passions and have adventures, lots of interests, as he had done. He valued his friends from all corners of the world and enjoyed their cultures, food and diversity. In later years he and Ruth (who predeceased John by 3 years) moved to the Englewood Retirement Home in Yakima where they made some wonderful friends, who became “family” and were loved dearly by all the Skube family. A very special “Thank You” is extended to them for their care and love. John passed away peacefully on the 21st December. He leaves behind two daughters: Jane and husband Max (Melbourne, Australia) and Kathleen (Zillah, Washington); six grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. The world has had the pleasure of having such a gentleman for almost 95 years; giving his talents, advice, grace and kindness to many. He leaves us with so many wonderful stories, memories and hearts full of love. He will be missed forever. Rosary and Mass has been held in Melbourne Australia. Memorial service to be announced at a later date. Ad Astra per Aspera To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Skube, please visit our flower store.