Obituary of Anthony Derek Skinner

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland to Nelson and May (née Green). Tony spent his formative years in Birmingham, England (becoming a police cadet and then constable for the Birmingham City Police) before immigrating to Canada in 1966, following his brother, Brian - and boarding the boat over with his best friend Rob Smith, also from Ireland - to join the Ottawa Police Service. He was most proud of his time in the Communications Centre, bringing 9-1-1 to Ottawa, and later as the head of Major Crime, Drugs & Intelligence. He retired in 1996 as an Inspector with 30 years’ service; they then paid him in pension cheques for another 30 years so he could enjoy his retirement with the love of his life, Jill. He is survived by his wife Jill, and his children Mario, Sharon, Tony Jr., Meghan and Sean; they and their families were his pride and joy, and he was happiest sitting at the head of a long, full table – or in a reclining chair in a boisterous living room surrounded by family and friends. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, and fishing, and did so all over Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes, and down the east coast. He loved to travel, especially back to Ireland, which he would say he never did enough. 

Mentioning all those he leaves behind would almost certainly push this obituary beyond even the most lenient of word count maximums. He leaves behind brothers and sisters, in-laws and outlaws (his words, not ours), nieces and nephews of the regular and great- variety, several grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He had countless friends in every city he spent time in and was (much to our chagrin) often trying to feed strangers. He also threatened to adopt the coworkers, friends, partners and neighbours of his wife and kids on a near regular basis. There are at least two dogs who will miss their place on his lap. 

He will be cremated and has asked that his ashes be spread in places that meant the most to him. If anyone is looking for him, he will be in Belfast, NI; Donegal, Ireland; White River and Lake Clear, in the Ottawa Valley; Newfoundout campgrounds, also in the Valley; and near the memorial bench at Beckwith Golf Course so he can observe a few more rounds. He will also be in every note of an Irish song, the bottom of every glass of whiskey, and in the smell of high-octane gasoline. 

Those wishing to celebrate his life are invited to do so on Thursday,  February 5, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with a tribute & Jameson’s toast at 2:00 p.m. in the Pinecrest Visitation Centre, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa. He hated ties, both being around them and wearing them himself, so please consider them extremely optional. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tony’s name to the Ottawa Cancer Foundation or the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario would be warmly appreciated.  The Memorial Tribute can be viewed at SERVICE LINK.