Obituary of Edison Bruce Skinner

SKINNER, Dr. Edison Bruce Bayview, NS Dr. Edison Skinner, 88, passed away peacefully, on September 28, 2022, at home, with family by his side. Edison was born on May 23, 1934, in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, son of Edison and Phoebe (Townsend) Skinner. After graduating from Louisburg High School, at age 16, Ed went on to complete his Bachelor of Science at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, before receiving his MD at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. During that time, he met the love of his life, Jean (MacLaren), a nursing student, and the two were married in 1957. They remained happily married for the rest of his life, and were blessed to have a large, loving family, who were his pride and joy. “Doc”, as he was affectionately known to the many patients he cared for over his half-century career as a family doctor, began his medical practice in Pictou, NS, in 1959. He was an old-school doctor, who cared deeply for his patients. It was common for Ed to make house calls to sick patients, at all hours day or night. His great joy was delivering babies and the running joke in the family is that you can’t throw a rock in Pictou County without hitting someone Ed helped bring into the world. A natural athlete, Ed remained active for most of his life. In the summers, he enjoyed swimming in the ocean, always accompanied by one of his beloved dogs. In the winter, he played hockey and was a lifelong fan of the Montreal Canadians. He was an avid fisherman, both fly and spin, and some of his fondest memories came from fishing weekends on the Miramichi or at the camp. Ed will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and highly-respected physician and member of the community. He was a notorious prankster who loved to laugh, was a fiercely loyal friend and a man of principle. Left to miss and mourn his loss are wife of 64 years, Jean; sons, Bruce (Karen), Bob (Anna) and Peter (Cindy); daughter, Lila (Allan) Brown; grandchildren, Edison, Michael (Kacey), Nicholas (Diana), Riley, Rowan, John, Rachel, Willow, Jeff, Richard, Justin; great-grandchildren, Hayden, Eve and Lia; in-law, Sadie; nephews, Kirk (Ginger), Jeff (Sue); great-nieces and nephews, Matthew, Jessica, Steven and Jack. In addition to his parents, Ed was predeceased by his sister, Lila and her husband, Reginald Miller, and his in-laws, Stuart and Marjorie MacLaren. Special thanks to loyal friend and fishing buddy, Bob Williamson, the VON, and the Palliative Care Unit at the Aberdeen Hospital. There will be no visitation by request. A private family service and burial will be held with Rev. Mary-Beth Moriarity officiating. Donations in memory of Dr. Skinner may be made to the Palliative Care Unit at the Aberdeen Hospital.