Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Mr. Richard Wayne Skilbeck
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Glenn Tarver posted a condolence
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Rick and I both had long teaching careers with the Scarborough Board. Rugby teams I coached at various schools often played against Rick's Agincourt teams. His teams reflected his personality - well prepared, played with intensity, no quit, played hard right to the final whistle. I respected his total commitment to his leadership, his athletes, his school and his career.
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STEVEN HAN posted a condolence
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Skilly was my teacher and coach. He taught me how to play rugby and many other things. He was an amazing person who mentored many students. A true legend at ACI. Thank-you for being an incredible teacher, coach and human being. The world is a lesser place without you. You will be remembered.
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Anna Carter-Tomash posted a condolence
Saturday, February 10, 2024
My deepest condolences to the Skillbeck family.
Sending love.
Anna Carter-Tomash
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Frances LaVigne-Henderson posted a condolence
Saturday, February 10, 2024
I taught at ACI during the time Rick was there and have so many good memories. One enduring one was the ski trip to Garmish-Partenkirchen with a group of students. Everyone had a lot of fun (some more than others as I recall). Rick was respected and loved by his students and members of the football and rugby teams. He expected their best efforts and they knew it was because he had their best interests at heart. Socially outside of school, Rick & Betty, my husband and I were members of a dinner group. I also recall us taking dancing lessons together in an attempt to keep up with what was current with the students. We kept in touch even after retirement and their move to B.C. To me, Rick was a valued friend He will be missed and fondly remembered by so many people. My sincerest sympathy to Betty, Kjerstin, Bryn, and the grandchildren in their great loss.
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Willam Agnew posted a condolence
Saturday, February 10, 2024
I am deeply saddened to learn of your loss. Rick was very influential to me both as a coach and a mentor. Helped shape who I am today and he will be sadly missed. Betty and family you have my sincere condolences
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Dan Paul posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Betty, Kjerstin, and Bryn
Sad to hear , my sincerest condolences on the death of your Husband and Father Mr. Skilbeck .
Mr. Skilbeck ( Skilly ) was our Gym , Rugby and Football coach .Great times and many lessons learned from a man that had a zest for life second to none.
Mr.Sklibeck always had time for all and shared his time generously . We all will remember the great times at ACI and our awesome ski trip to Switzerland together. He left a positive impression on those that crossed his path ! I am very grateful he crossed mine .
Rest in peace Mr. Skilbeck ( Coach )
You will always be Remembered !
Dan Paul
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Muriel Lewis posted a condolence
Monday, February 5, 2024
We wish to express our deepest sympathy to Betty and family.
For us, our heartfelt memory is Rick’s endearing presence and support backstage at each Kelowna Community Concert event, and his warm, caring hospitality.
Alvan and Muriel Lewis
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Maureen McLellan posted a condolence
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Betty, Kjerstin, Bryn and family,
Our sincere condolences to all of you on the loss of such a vibrant, fun- loving man. We always enjoyed reconnecting each summer for one week at Olympia and have many fond memories of the time spent there coaching, socializing and yes, being active!
It’s obvious from all the tributes posted that Rick had a huge impact on the students he taught and coached throughout his career.
We’ll always remember that smile and his hearty laugh!
Sincerely
Gord and Maureen McLellan
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paul sheehan posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
I had many coaches in my life but he was my Coach.He loved and cared for you on and off the field.When I went off to college he always kept up with how I was doing.He had a big smile on his face when I showed him his name and mine together in our press guide.He will live on in the hundreds of students he touched with his life.May we all take a piece of Coach and share it with others and let them be blessed as we have been.May God bless Coach and his family and "stand up and give a cheer for agincourt"
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Lea Rutherford posted a condolence
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Betty and all the family,
I was so sad to hear of Rick’s passing…we had a wonderful visit and lunch in March and it was so good to be together even though we all knew RIck was a shadow of his former self…..
Rick and Betty were responsible for David and I getting together…it is so sad they are both gone.
We had wonderful family visits through the years and now everyone is grown.
Know that Rick is a at peace and you did absolutely everything you could to give him a good life right until the end.
With love, Lea Rutherford
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Tim Paterson posted a condolence
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Sorry to read of Rich’s passing. Fond memories of our many years at Agincourt. My condolences to you you Betty and family.Tim Paterson
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Geoff Gordon posted a condolence
Saturday, January 27, 2024
I went to ACI in the late 70s to early 80s. Mr. Skilbeck (Skilly as we called him) was always a great football & rugby coach as well as a great PE teacher. I can honestly say Skilly was one of the few teachers that had a lasting impact on me and gave me some good lasting memories of ACI. Skilly you will be missed.
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Jen posted a condolence
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Betty, Kjer, and family,
Take some comfort in knowing the positive impact Rick had on so many. A role model in so many ways; spouse, parent, grandparent, friend, athlete, to name a few. What a full life he lived. Thinking of you all, Steve and Jen Burgie
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David Landell posted a condolence
Thursday, January 25, 2024
To Rick’s family, I am very sad for your loss. Rick was truly a good friend, great coaching partner, mentor and just a really nice person. I will miss him. David Landell
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Ryan Nevard posted a condolence
Thursday, January 25, 2024
I remember, in grade 10, we had just lost our semi-final match in the provincial rugby playoffs and we were all sitting there as a team afterwards. We were disappointed we had lost but we were feeling like we had accomplished something pretty great - top 4 in the province! Skilly came over to address the team, to lift our spirits and recognize our pretty fantastic season - we thought. He walked up with a stern look on his face and bluntly said “no one remembers who comes second.” Then he turned his back and left. We couldn’t believe he did that. We were all pretty shocked. And felt gutted. But he was right - and we quickly found little comfort in having come that far just to lose. Playing for Skilly was about trying your best and getting better. Winning wasn’t everything but it was the point of everything we did. Competing to win was what set the conditions for everything he was teaching us. He knew this, we didn’t.
In my mind, that moment defined his coaching brilliance. It took us years filled with defeats and many failures and successes and many small wins to learn and grow. Him shaping us, pushing us to grow, challenging us at every step. And we did finally get it done - we won the provincial rugby championship in grade 12. It was truly a great moment! And in an article published in the Scarborough Mirror, Skilly gave us all the credit. He told them we were more skilled, we knew the game better, we pulled the team together, we could do everything well and “it was the players’ goal to come back and win this thing.” But that’s what great coaches do. He knew what he had achieved and that was all that mattered to him. He knew where he had brought us from, what he had taught us and that championships come from years of dedication and decades of building a program where young players learn from older players, older graduates come back to teach skills and camaraderie and joy and love of the game set the foundation for success! And most importantly, he knew that his life’s work was not about the winning, but in helping generations of kids to challenge themselves and grow and become all they could be! Regardless of whether they won or not he cared deeply about his players!
Many will remember his yelling, some on the sidelines thought he yelled too much. And it really didn’t matter what game or which team was playing - he yelled! But his players knew he yelled because he cared intensely and was vested in us! It’s not a typical way to express love but that was one of his ways. Ultimately, Skilly is loved so much because he loved all of us! I am personally forever grateful for the impact he had on my life. You will always be remembered. Second to none. Love you Skilly!
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Arlene Vance lit a candle
Thursday, January 25, 2024
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My deepest sympathy to all of Rick's family. I only met him a couple of times but knew of him to be a funny, kind and loving guy. He will be missed.
Arlene Vance & Family.
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Blain Horsley posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Jan.24/24
Sad to hear of Rick’s passing. Such a devotee to physical activity it seemed he should go on forever. Dedicated coach and esteemed colleague. A privilege to work with at ACI. A life well lived. Blain Horsley
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Lionel Wolfe posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
My condolences to Betty and family. I taught with Rick and George at Agincourt in 69 and have fond memories of that time.He loved his football/rugby and coached those for many years. My wife and I had a memorable trip to Florida with the Skillbecks. Rest in peace dear friend
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Jim Vasko posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
I was deeply saddened to learn of Rick’s passing and extend my sympathies to his family. I was there at ACI when he first joined the phys ed department. It was a privilege to have had him as my teacher and coach. He would do anything for his students and teams, and one invaluable lesson that he taught was how to win or lose like a champion.
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Margaret Croney posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
I’m so sorry to hear of Rick’s death. He was an amazing man. Pleasant and always smiling (except at some of the boys who acted out in class). Rick was in my wedding party in 1971. I’m sure his family will miss him enormously in the years to come. Margaret Croney, Alumi of ACI.
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Rajesh Mahant posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Mr. Skilbeck was my Physical Education teacher in Grade 10. He inspired me to run and at age 54 I still continue to jog. I loved his drive and grit!
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David Olson posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
My deepest sympathies on your loss. I remember Mr. Skilbeck from my time at ACI in the mid 1980s. He was kind, friendly and generous with his time and experience.
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Kelly McLeod posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
One of the best teachers in Physical Education. He made Agincourt C.I so very special. I am sorry for your loss
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Dave Irving posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Rest in peace Mr Skilbeck,Thanks for the highschool memories.You will be truly missed.
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Neil and Linda Cooney posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
So sorry to learn of Rick’s passing.
He was my coach in his early years of teaching and coaching.
He left an indelible imprint on so many.
Rest In Peace.
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Greg Frattaroli posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Skilbeck when I attended ACI in the mid-1980s. He taught physical education, and was a devout jogger who was an inspiration to us all to achieve greatness in physical fitness. I know one day we will be reunited in Heaven where he will no doubt "crack the whip" to ensure that I complete my 2 mile bi-daily jog along the greenbelt on a cold and blustery winter day. This is the sort of dedication he had and instilled in others. I'd say RIP, Rick, but there'd be no point in doing so because he has merely transitioned to Heaven and still enjoys his daily jog.
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BRIAN MCGOEY posted a condolence
Monday, January 22, 2024
I met Mr. Skillbeck on the first day of gym class in grade 10 . At first he seemed a bit intimidating , drove us hard and put up with no nonsense. It was obvious he loved sports and his classes were a lot of fun . He coached me in football and rugby. His players loved him.
He pushed us beyond what we thought were our limits and in doing so, taught us all that we could do much more than we had imagined.
Thank you Mr. Skillbeck.
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The family of Mr. Richard Wayne Skilbeck uploaded a photo
Monday, January 22, 2024
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The family of Mr. Richard Wayne Skilbeck uploaded a photo
Monday, January 22, 2024
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The family of Mr. Richard Wayne Skilbeck uploaded a photo
Monday, January 22, 2024
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The family of Mr. Richard Wayne Skilbeck uploaded a photo
Monday, January 22, 2024
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The family of Mr. Richard Wayne Skilbeck uploaded a photo
Monday, January 22, 2024
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Russ Meldram posted a condolence
Monday, January 22, 2024
To Betty and family, Deb and I are sad at Rick's passing. We really enjoyed our time with Rick at Kelowna Community Concert Association .Rick was the kind of guy that was easy to be friends with and I wish I had more time with him. Betty will know what I am talking about when I say that when I meet him again I will serve him a glass of red wine only this time in a real wine glass!!
Rest in peace Rick. Russ and Deb Meldram
