Obituary of Arthur D. Skoland

Arthur Skoland, 72, of Vineland died on Thursday, August 4. 2016 at Egg Harbor Care Center, Spring Oak Assisted Living in Egg Harbor Twp. He was born the second oldest of five children, two brothers and two sisters, of a Norwegian carpenters family in W. Orange, NJ. His father undertook building the family home in Mendham, NJ. He had a happy childhood yet, all the children had their chores. Arthurs included cutting by push mower 4 acres of lawn. He graduated from W. Morris regional High School. Arthur had been employed delivering furniture, delivering newspapers and operating a lawn business. While delivering newspapers he eventually became a local newspaper reporter where he met many influential people in the Republican Party. He had also dabbled in real estate. He had attended American University in Washington D.C. and was always interested in politics. He became an aide to US Senator Clifford Case of NJ. He later worked on the Nixon Presidential Campaign and eventually worked for the NRA. While living in DC, he would commute back to Mendham on the weekends in his VW Beetle. While in Washington, he often crossed paths with noteworthy people as Senate Majority Leader, Everett Dirkson, the Kennedy Brothers, Ethel Kennedy, Spiro Agnew and numerous foreign dignitaries. On one occasion he was literally knocked down by Nelson Rockefeller. He apologized graciously, helped him up and brushed him off. In addition to doing his job, there was the excitement of meeting new and powerful people every day. After leaving DC, he attended the University of Oslo, Norway to study Norwegian history and culture. He had also attended seminary in Pasadena, CA to work on his Masters of Divinity. He often traveled often, enjoying trips to Europe and Israel. Throughout his life, he was always interested in meeting new people. Networking was always the part of his job he really enjoyed. He is survived by a brother, Theodore John Skoland and his wife, Deborah and two sisters, Arlene Ruth Caffrey and Nancy Alice Davis. Funeral services were held privately at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, Cedarville. Written condolences can be sent to the family though the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.