Skoff, Frank J.
Frank J. Skoff, age 92, son of the late
Joseph and Anna, nee Cepuran; brother of the late Edward and Joseph; cousin of
Luby, Nagra, Rose Kon and the late Ljuba Cepuran Stokan. Past President of the U.S. Chess Federation. Visitation Friday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Lack & Sons Funeral Home, 9236 S. Roberts Rd. (8000W), Hickory Hills. Service Friday 11 a.m. at the Funeral Home. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery in Joliet, IL 708-430-5700
Frank Skoff was already in “elder statesman” mode about 20 years ago at an ICA banquet, where he was given an award and invited to say a few words. He quipped that, at his age, one begins to forget things, and to remember things that never happened.
He used to run tournaments at the old Edgewater Beach Hotel on the north side. These events pre-dated even me, but only by a year or two. The same tournaments – entitled the Greater Chicago Open – lived on for several years at other locations. They were elegant, old-school tournaments, of the type nobody wants to run anymore – eight rounds, over two consecutive weekends, two rounds per day (Saturday, Sunday, Saturday, Sunday), time control 40/2, then 20/1 indefinitely (no sudden death). Ah, the slower-paced days. At ICA meetings, he always had an abundance of pairing wisdom for us young whippersnapper TDs.
Bill Smythe
As one grows older, they see many of the “older” and “wiser” departing or readying for departure.
I often look for and wonder where are those who will pick up that “mantle”, or fill those “shoes”.
May he ( Mr. Skoff) find rest and peace.