Obituary for
Casey Anotoly Skakun
On October 16, 2021 at the age of 88 years, Casey Anotoly Skakun passed away, surrounded by loving family and the very dear and caring Lynnwood Capital Care team.
Casey was born in Vegreville, Alberta on September 21, 1933 to parents Rachel and Kasian Skakun, who raised Casey and his two sisters in Edmonton, Alberta. It was a home inspired by the pioneering spirit of his parents, filled with love, and enriched by their Ukrainian heritage.
Casey studied architecture at UBC in Vancouver, marrying the love of his life, Sandi (Alexandra Kostynuk) in 1956, a year before graduation. He embarked on his career in an architectural partnership with Don Sinclair and UBC classmate, Joe Naito; Casey and Sandi made Edmonton their home. In 1974, Casey joined Jim Wensley in a partnership that evolved over years to be Wensley Skakun Webster Fry Rodrigues. From 1985 through 1999 Casey built and led the Infrastructure Team with Alberta Public Works Supply and Services, notably providing oversight to the dramatic demolition of the General Hospital in Calgary, and proudly contributing to the building envelope preservation of the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton. In the final years of his career, Casey joined Read Jones Christoffersen, where he was thrilled to mentor in the practice he loved.
Casey was highly respected during his architectural career and was recognized:
• With an Alberta Achievement Award in Architecture,
• As a Fellow in the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada,
• As a Fellow in Construction Specifications Canada, also receiving the associations highest honor when he received his Life Member Award in 2003.
• As a Life Member of the Alberta Association of Architects in 2014
His services and contributions were recognized by the Alberta Building Standards Council, the City of Edmonton and the National Research Council.
Casey pioneered and mentored the practice of building envelope in Canada and contributed immensely to the building industry practices and standards. It was an industry that he loved and fostered life-long friendships.
Kasian Skakun shared his skills as a builder with his son; the tools, the builder’s smarts, the caring and attention to detail, the workmanship …and the ‘I can do it’ attitude that Casey in turn instilled in his own children and grandchildren; the legendary playhouse built in Garneau in 1967 (was moved by crane to the Belgravia home); Sandi’s pottery studios; the hand-built home at Lake Wabamun; and ultimately the birdhouse projects that ‘Dido’ designed and built with his grandchildren.
Casey loved photography. We treasured seeing the world through his eyes in the early years of slide carousels and over the decades through volumes of carefully constructed photo albums. In the latter years, with the onset of Alzheimer’s, with a digital camera in hand, he shared the joy in his heart, capturing the beautiful details of the world around him, when he could no longer express himself with words.
Always creative, Casey had brilliant penmanship and artwork. He could sketch through any explanation, without effort. He worked closely with Sandi in support of her career in pottery and took great pride in her ceramics. They worked together to produce the precious bells that are enjoyed in so many homes on Christmas trees each year. Devoted to his daughters in their years of dance, and after serving as president, Casey was named an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Ukrainian Cheremosh Society.
Casey loved Edmonton, his Oilers hockey team and the jazz community that he and Sandi were devoted to. They were always familiar faces at Edmonton’s jazz venues, proudly attending Dan’s gigs and enjoying their jazz community of friends. May the Lullaby of Birdland play on forever in your gentle loving soul Casey. Rest In Peace.
Sandi & Casey were married for 65 years. Casey will be lovingly missed by Sandi; their three children, Nadine (John) Harder, Andrea Skakun, and Dan Skakun (Elisabeth Scholtz); and very dearly loved grandchildren, Evan Lawrence, Claire Lawrence and Sonia Skakun. Casey was predeceased by his sisters and life-long friends, Marea (Tomyn) and Zena (Skakun).
A Celebration of Casey’s Life will be held on Tuesday, December 21 at 10 a.m. at Park Memorial Funeral Home, 9709 – 111 Avenue, Edmonton, AB. To view the livestream of the Celebration select ‘Webcasting’ from Casey’s Book of Memories on this page.
Per the Restriction Exemption Program, you must provide proof of vaccinations (The QR code along with valid ID for those 18 years and older), or proof of a negative rapid COVID test taken within 72 hours of entry, or an original medical exemption letter.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating to The Salvation Army at www.salvationarmy.ca or to CKUA Radio at www.ckua.com
Order Flowers
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Casey Anotoly
Skakun 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Vegreville, Province: Alberta