June 21, 1941 - October 31, 2019
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Bartel Skeete. On October 31st, Bartel passed away suddenly after having been in poor health for many years. He was a wonderful man: kind, caring, generous and honourable. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him but most especially by his family and close friends.
Despite the poor health of his later years Bartel had lived a full life. He was born in New York City on June 21, 1941 and was raised there. His life's path would take him from the coff ee houses of NYC to travel around the US to the "Six Day School" in Mt. Shasta in Northern California and eventually to the Slocan Valley of British Columbia in 1971/1972 where he would live for the remainder of his life. In the early years in the Valley, he dealt in scrap metal and was a Volkswagon mechanic but ultimately he discovered wood and opened his own lumber yard at Winlaw. He would operate that business until
ill health forced him to close it down. Through that business he would become known throughout the Valley and surrounding area.
Bartel was predeceased by his father (Earl), mother (Ida), sister (Barbara) and nephews (Jeff rey and Richard). He leaves behind his daughters, Riana Stella and October Bartel; 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
In keeping with Bart's wishes there will be no funeral service. However, the family is planning a celebration of his life for June of 2020.