Dear friends and alumni of Bucknell Men’s Crew,
It is with great sadness that we let you know that John Skotedis passed away yesterday morning at his home. As you may or may not know, John was the head coach of Bucknell Crew from 1986-1992, during which time the program’s foundation was built. The men’s and women’s club team, established in 1983, flourished under John’s leadership. With his guidance, the team successfully achieved varsity status in 1990, won its first Dad Vail medal in 1991, and had its first alumnus compete at the Olympics (Cindy Ryder in 1992). Most importantly, John’s leadership and friendship provided an invaluable life experience that so many of our previous alums draw from on a daily basis. John has continued to be an integral part of supporting the development of rowing at Bucknell University as well as the Central Pennsylvania Rowing Association. The land that our boathouse sits on belongs to the Skotedis family and without him, it is very likely Bucknell Crew would not exist today.
Even if you didn’t know him at all or didn’t know him very well, it is important that we all take a moment and honor his memory.
Below is video from 2003 where John is sharing his memories of the program.
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Theodore John Skotedis,
61, Shamokin Dam
T. John Skotedis, 61, of 493 Victor Lane, passed away Monday, December 10th. At his side were his loving wife and son.
John was born June 27, 1951 in Batavia, NY.
He married the former Denise Suzanne Adams, who survives him, a union of thirty-four years. They have one son, Alexander Theodore Skotedis, born February 18, 1983.
John’s family relocated from Batavia, NY to Sunbury, PA in 1959.
John graduated from Shikellamy High School in 1969. He attended Bucknell University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
Upon graduation from college, John joined the family business of Tedd’s Landing Restaurant. In 1989, Tedd’s on the Hill banquet facility was added to the family’s business ventures. In July of 2005, along with his wife and son, John achieved their long-time vision of Skeeter’s Pit BBQ on the bluff above Tedd’s Landing. John’s dedication to the businesses was unwavering, working 12-14 hour days, 7 days a week.
From his days at Temple University, John carried with him his passion for rowing. He made and launched his first rowing boat in the Susquehanna River in 1973. Rowing became an integral part of John’s life and, in some respects, defined who he was as a man; it required patience, awareness and endless dedication.
From 1986 to 1992, John also served as the head coach of the Bucknell University Men’s and Women’s Crew program. Established in 1983, the program flourished under John’s leadership. With his guidance, the team successfully achieved varsity status in 1990, won its first championship medal in 1991, and had its first alumnus compete at the Olympics (Cindy Ryder in 1992). Most importantly, John’s leadership and friendship provided an invaluable life experience for those who rowed under him. John continued to be an integral part of supporting the development of rowing at Bucknell University, Susquehanna University as well as the Central Pennsylvania Rowing Association.
John was a member of the Bucknell Golf Club and the “Shifty Group”.
John also had a keen interest in local history, including the Native American presence as well as the significance of the Susquehanna River and Pennsylvania Canal.
John had a great love for art, architecture, food, travel, family and friends. His cabin on Pine Creek, recently built by himself, his son and wife, was his respite. Whether relaxing on the daybed on the screen porch listening to the rapids of Pine Creek, biking, hiking, kayaking or cross country skiing, it held a special place in his heart. John also enjoyed pontooning in the summer on the Susquehanna River, mostly enjoying the sunsets on the West Branch with his wife after a long day’s work at the restaurants.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his son and daughter-in-law, Alexander and Natalia Skotedis; his mother, Janet Skotedis; his brother, Thomas Skotedis; his sister and brother-in-law, Cheryl and Jeff Reed; In-law’s, Bernadine and Jean-Paul Richard, Pasquale and Barbara Rescigno; brother and sister-in-law’s, Craig and Shelly Adams, Jody and Laura Adams; niece’s and nephew’s, Thomas Skotedis and wife Karissa, Jessica and Sarah Reed, Crystal and Jason Skotedis, Whitney and Ryan Adams, Grant and Elijah Adams. He was preceded in death by his brother, Victor T. Skotedis, 1997 and his father, Theodore V. Skotedis, 2009.
A service celebrating the life of T. John Skotedis will be held Sunday, December 16th at 1:00 pm, Rooke Chapel, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. The family will receive friends and acquaintances after the service at Tedd’s on the Hill.
This is a link to his memorial website:
(1951-2012)
Please take a moment and visit the site.