Obituary: Dennis P. Skorski, Sr.

COVENTRY – Dennis P. Skorski, Sr., Sgt. CPD Ret., 61, of South Main Street, died Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. He was the beloved husband of Cheryl J. (Thompson) Skorski.

Born in Providence, a son of the late Stanley J. and Balbina (Pankowicz) Skorski, Sr., he served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.

A graduate of the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy - Lt. Charles E. Crowshaw, Jr. Class - 1972-II, he served for twenty years on the Coventry Police Department before retiring at the rank of Sergeant in 1991. During his tenure he was certified in First Aid by the American Red Cross; was trained on auto theft by the National Automobile Theft Bureau; was certified by Cerio's Academy of Martial Arts in self-defense (police techniques) and was certified to carry a .38 special caliber revolver. In 1975 he and two other officers received commendation from Chief Victor R. Pajak for their assistance in leading six families to safety from a working structure fire in their home.

After retiring from law enforcement he worked as a driver for Laidlaw Bus Company and First Student Transportation Services for eighteen years before retiring in 2010. He drove Coventry Bus #4 for a number of years and will be missed by many within the Coventry School Department as well as the CPD.

Dennis was a huge New England Patriots fan and he loved to fish especially fresh water fishing.

Besides his wife he is survived by his daughters Heather Knight and her husband Allan of Warwick and Melissa Skorski of Cranston; his son: Dennis P. Skorski, Jr., Lt. CPD and his wife Debra of Coventry; his sister Darlene Skorski of West Greenwich; his step-sons Daniel Hart of Johnston and Dylan Hart of Fort Riley, KS; his sister-in-law Anna Skorski of Coventry and her children Lisa Allen and Michael Skorski. He was predeceased by his brother Stanley J. Skorski, Jr.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick. Military honors will immediately follow the service. Calling hours will be on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. prior to the service.