Thomas Dale Skelly, age 75, of Newark, DE passed away peacefully with his family by his side on 1/27/2022 at St. Francis Hospital. Tom was born in Wilmington, DE on 8/31/1946 of the late Frank and Bessie Skelly.  Growing up in Newport, Tom graduated from Henrik J. Krebs school and Henry C. Conrad high school, class of 1964. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1968 from the University of Delaware, he served two years in the U.S Army, including a one-year tour in Vietnam as an infantryman in the 1 ^st Cavalry Division. Discharged with the rank of Sergeant, he started working for the 3M Company of St. Paul, Minnesota in 1970. After more than 33 years of working in sales for 3M, where he was respected by his colleagues and received many honors, Tom retired as a Senior Account Executive in 2004.

Tom enjoyed traveling, playing cards with old friends, dining out with a group of fellow retirees called the ROMEO Club, and attending Calvary Presbyterian Church with his wife Jean. He liked to sit at the sign in table for most events he was involved in such as Conrad reunions, Beef-N-Beers, and neighborhood parties. He loved his Village of Long Creek community and was on several committees including grounds, where he introduced the phrases "know the snow" and "grass class."

Tom is survived by the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Jean Elizabeth Phillips, who he married in 1975. He is also survived by his younger brother, Jerry Skelly and wife Irene of Newark, DE. He was most proud of his children; daughter Christine (Majewski) Townsend and husband Mike, son Jeremy Leerssen and wife Laura, daughter Debra (Majewski) Dudeck and husband Joey, son David Skelly and wife Michelle, and his grandchildren; Caroline, Meghan, and Elizabeth Townsend, Zachary and Jadyn Leerssen, Joshua and Joseph Dudeck, and Kyle and Natalie Skelly.

A memorial service will be held for family and friends at a later date.