Edward Skerrett Obituary

Skerrett, Edward H.

Edward H. Skerrett, of Georgetown, Delaware, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026. Born June 10, 1938, in Buffalo, New York, he was the oldest child of William and Helen (Falk) Skerrett. From a young age, Ed had an inquisitive mind and a love of learning. He excelled academically and graduated from Canisius High School in 1956. He earned a BA from Canisius College in 1962 and an MA in English from Fordham University in 1964. A proud veteran, Ed received a commission in the U.S. Army and served from 1966 to 1968, achieving the rank of Captain. Upon completion of the Armor Officer Basic Course, he was assigned as a map-reading instructor at Fort Knox. In February 1967, he was sent to Vietnam, where he served as a platoon leader and public affairs officer with the 1/9th Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Ed was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Ed began his professional career as an Assistant Professor of English at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, from 1968 to 1973. It was during this time that he met and married Louise in 1971. After working as a summer hire for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) at JFK and Montreal, he accepted a permanent position as an inspector in Champlain, New York. Ed's immigration career went on to span four decades with positions in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as an inspector, examiner and Assistant District Director for Examinations; in Washington, D.C. Headquarters as a Senior Examiner, Branch Chief, Director of the Adjudications Appeals Unit, and Director of Overseas Operations; and in London, England, as the Officer in Charge and Immigration Attaché at the U.S. Embassy. Among his many accomplishments was serving as the agency representative for the bipartisan U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform led by Congresswoman Barbara Jordon. His outstanding contributions, dedication, and compassion in helping immigrants pursue the American dream were recognized by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) at an awards ceremony upon his retirement in 2004. Ed continued his passion for teaching as an adjunct English professor at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Montgomery County Community College in Maryland, the former Wesley College in Dover, and Delaware Technical College in Georgetown until 2015. Ed was probably best known for his intellect and extensive knowledge on just about any subject. He was an avid reader and a lover of crossword puzzles, jazz, and sports. He was especially fond of the Chicago White Sox, Buffalo Sabers, and Buffalo Bills. His friends and family will greatly miss his great mind, his sense of humor, his love, and his kindness. Ed is survived by his wife, Louise (Calvelli) Skerrett, his children William of Newport, VT, Peter of Windsor, PA, and Juliana of Georgetown, DE; grandchildren Elizabeth Skerrett of Fairfax, VT, and Anna Skerrett of Pittsburgh, PA; sister Mary Jane Stasiak (Joe) of Rochester, NY; and brother William Regis Skerrett (Nancy) of Buffalo, NY. Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown, Delaware. Donations in his memory can be made to Canisius University, Delaware Hospice, or The Parkinson's Foundation.