W.S. Gerald Skey ’64

Gerry died March 11, 2026, in Princeton, his home for 55 years.

He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and his family eventually moved to Wilton, Conn. He attended St. Marks School.

At Princeton, he majored in English, ate at Cottage Club, and lettered in soccer, squash and, most significantly, baseball. He was a left-handed pitcher who, according to Princeton lacrosse legend Bryce Chase ’63, was so powerful that his “fastball seemed to rise as it reached the plate, like a major leaguer.” Bryce and Gerry were lifelong friends who frequently argued amicably over which was a better sport, baseball or lacrosse.

After Princeton Gerry spent four years, including a one-year tour in Vietnam, as an officer in the Marines. He then earned a law degree from University of Connecticut Law School. He practiced law in Princeton beginning in 1971 and later formed a firm of which he was co-partner.

Gerry met Sally Reed in 1964. They were married soon thereafter and had three children, including Scott ’93, and four grandkids. Gerry was an opera lover and served on the board of McCarter Theatre. He volunteered at a soup kitchen and recorded audio books for the blind. He was also an avid golfer. As he once wrote in a class book, “My home away from home is Springdale Golf Club — my car just automatically drives me there.”