Gary Skibo

“Gary” James Skibo, 77, of Fayette City, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The son of the late Freda Cheek and father James Skibo, he was born on October 9, 1947. Gary was born and raised in Fayette City only leaving at age 17 to honorably serve his country in the United States Navy with two tours in the Vietnam War. After returning home, Gary met his love Linda Murt and was married in November of 1970. Gary worked at Allenport Steel Mill until it shut down in 1981. While working at the mill, Gary built the family’s forever home on Navaho Hollow Road in Fayette City. After the mill shut down, Gary started Skibo’s Exterior Painting & Restoration and spent the rest of the 80’s and 90’s painting houses all over the Mon Valley. Gary also spent 10 years in the local labors union until he retired in 2010. Gary loved to hunt, fish, and have a beer with the guys. He always had that sweet blue-eyed charm and quick wit about him so the more he agitated you, the more he liked you. He was never afraid to step on the dance floor and show you he still had the moves. He loved watching Steelers games with family and friends and would tell you how great they were in the 70’s. Gary loved spending time at Lake Erie, the mountains of McKean and Cameron County, and yearly trips to the Outer Banks. He had trophy mounts from trips to Wyoming and Colorado along with trophy white tail mounts from all over north central Pennsylvania. He also took several trips with his wife and friends over the last few years. Truly living his best life! Gary was a member at numerous social clubs and veterans organizations over the years with too many to list but a few most cherished places to him were the Fayette City American Legion Post 484, the Naomi Athletic Club, and the Vietnam Veterans Inc of Fayette County. In his later years, he again became a proud Harley Davidson owner and was the oldest active member of the American Legion Riders of Fayette City Post 484 where he was proudly tagged with the nickname “Road Kill”. Gary took his final ride on the annual New Year’s Day ride, January 1, 2025. It was hard for even his family to realize how many friends he had made through his journey of life but it became evidently clear in the last weeks as it was standing room only at his bed side. Gary is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Linda Murt Skibo, daughter Samantha (Tony) Cusimano of Greenfield, Wisconsin, her daughters Danielle and Sadie, and her grandchildren Blaze, Ellie, Lyanna, Amias. Son Jesse (Gina) Skibo of Perryopolis, his children Brody and Avery, and Son Chad (Casi) Skibo of Rostraver, and their daughters Sydney, Khloe and Rory. He is also survived by his siblings, Darla (Mark) Altemara of Rostraver, Jeffery Bruce Skibo of Phoenix, AZ, and Brian (Joy) Ormond Beach, FL, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Gary Skibo was known by many, feared by some and loved by all! We will always love you and cherish the time we had with you, until we meet again. Like the many Brothers you served beside, you may be gone but never forgotten! Friends will be received on Wednesday from 4 to 8 P.M. in the Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc 700 Broad Avenue Belle Vernon, 724-929-5300 www.FergusonFuneralHomeandCrematory.com. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 10 A.M. with Pastor Sandy Fitzgibbons officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gary’s memory to the American Cancer Society or the Gary Sinise Foundation, helping support veterans’ needs.

Tributes

Gary Skibo

October 9, 1947 - August 17, 2025