Stephen Edward Skipton Sr.

Stephen Edward Skipton, Sr., 41, of Goose Creek, passed away peacefully with family by his side on August 23, 2014. Steve was born May 24, 1973 in Camden, NJ a son of Bertha Shearer Skipton and the late George Skipton. Steve was involved and dedicated to the fire service for 25 years. He started his life in the fire service as a teenager as a junior member of the Brooklawn Fire Department outside of his home town. He served as a volunteer firefighter in Bellmawr NJ, later moving through the ranks to Chief of Department of the Bellmawr Park Volunteer Fire Department in his 20’s. Steve worked as an EMT for University EMS in Newark NJ, and the city of Camden for 17 years. During his time there, he responded to the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001 to aid in rescue efforts. Steve was also an Emergency Medical Services instructor, passing on his skills and knowledge to many students who loved his teaching style and demeanor. He was truly a pleasure to learn from and touched many people lives through sharing his extensive job experience. He remained very active in the fire service including photographing fire scenes, contributing to countless training slides, and videos. He was very well known throughout the state of New Jersey and beyond, also running a successful fire news website. In 2010, he pursued his dream of working as a career firefighter and moved to the City of Goose Creek, South Carolina, where he served faithfully. Another passion of Steve’s was photographing fire apparatus, he was known to travel anywhere a new truck was going in service to get great shots of the apparatus, many times bringing along his sons to share his passion, skill, and knowledge. This eventually led him to a job working with Seagrave Fire apparatus as a sales consultant selling the trucks he truly loved. He also held a part time job as a salesman for Rick Hendrick Chevrolet and Family Medical Transport. Steve managed two websites, www.phillyfirenews.com and co-owned www.sconfire.com. Steve was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was an avid fire photographer, enjoyed bike riding, visiting the beach, and spending time with his family. His family remembers him as an unselfish and devoted husband and father. Steve was known for his sense of humor, strength, and commitment. Survivors include his wife, Jennifer (Labletta) Skipton of Goose Creek, two sons Stephen Skipton Jr., and Drew Skipton of New Jersey; two twin daughters, Isabella and Marissa Skipton of Goose Creek; his mother, Bertha Skipton of New Jersey; one sister, Tracy McEneaney of New Jersey and her daughter Delaney. He also leaves a host of extended family, friends and Brothers of the Fire, and Emergency Medical services. A celebration of his life will be held Thursday August 28, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Northwood Church 2600 N. Main Street, Summerville, SC with full firefighter honors. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am-1:00pm prior to the memorial service. A mass will be held at a later date in New Jersey. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com