Laurence Godfrey "Skilky" Eaton

Laurence Godfrey “Skilky” Eaton a lifelong Needham resident and summer resident of Dennis, former President of Eaton Funeral Home of Needham died on Jan 9, 2011 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was 83.

Skilky graduated from Needham High in 1945 and Norwich University in 1950. He served as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army Reserve and in the US Navy during WW II.

He was a member, Past Master and 50 year member of Norfolk Lodge and Past member of Grand Lodge. He joined the Needham Exchange Club in May 1956 and remained a member until his death. He was a Senior Member, Past President and in 2004 was awarded the “Exchangite of the Year” honor for his many years of dedicated service. Dedicated to the Town of Needham, he was a director of the Needham Historical Society, director and charter member of the Richard Melick Foundation, Past Town Meeting Member, a member for over 55 years of the American Legion Post #14, and the Village Club. He loved fishing and had fished from Canada to the Keys and beyond.

He was the husband of Theodora K. “Tedi” Eaton and the late Barbara (Stricklin) Eaton. He is survived by his children Sandra L. Swenson and her husband Gerry of Burke VA.,, Laurence R. “Skip” and his wife Mary of Needham and David E. and his wife Donna of Yarmouth Port, his grandchildren Kara Gerardi, Christopher Swenson, Stephanie Payne, Laurence Andrew Eaton, Kimberly Connolly, Michael, Brendan, Stacey, David and Shawn Eaton, “RJ”, Brianna and Michael Tocci, Morgan, Timmy, Kasey and Kali Bertolet, Matt Ahearn and Logan Bertolet. his step children Geoffrey S. Bertolet and Theodore W. Bertolet, his brothers and sister of Robert P. of Londonderry, NH, Stephen E. of Yarmouth Port and Suzanne Cranney of Eaton, NY. Also survived by 8 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews and was the step father of the late Ronald T. Tocci.

A funeral service will be held on Fri Jan 14 at 11 AM in Christ Episcopal Church 1132 Highland Ave NEEDHAM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours in the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave. NEEDHAM on Thurs 4-8 PM. Interment Needham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials in Skilky’s” memory may be made to the Ronald T. Tocci Children’s Memorial Fund, 51 Bonwood Rd. Needham MA 02492 and to the Needham Exchange Club, P.O. Box 920475, Needham MA 02492

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