Andrew E. Skroback Jr.

East Longmeadow - Andrew E. Skroback, Jr. passed away early Tuesday morning, November 19, 2019. Born in Springfield, he was the son of Andrew and Julia Skroback. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Barbara, his four children and their spouses; Stephanie and Paul Collins of Goffstown, NH; Kim and Matt Robertson of Stockbridge, VT; Pam and Mike Smith of Westborough, MA; and Drew Skroback and fiancé Jing Ma of NY, NY. as well as nine grandchildren: Cayla, Tim and Shelley Collins; Alexandra, Samantha and Ian Robertson; and Ben, Jillian and Ryann Smith and his brother, Edward Skroback and his wife Barbara of Alexandria, NH. He is predeceased by his sister, Mary Ann Burger and his brother, Francis Skroback of Springfield, MA. Andrew Skroback was a 1954 graduate of Classical High School, where he was recognized as an All Western Mass Football guard and picked by the Cathedral High football team as an all-star opponent. He graduated from University of Vermont in 1958 where he met his wife, Barbara. He was a Distinguished Military graduate receiving a Regular Army Commission serving three years in Germany, first in Gelnhausen then in Munich, with his wife Barbara where their daughter, Stephanie was born. He was assigned to serve and teach at the L-19 Artillery Arial Observer School of the Third Armored Division. Upon his return he spent two years working as a toolmaker with his father while he obtained his MBA at Western New England University. After three years as a Pension Specialist for Connecticut General during which he received his professional designation, Chartered Financial Consultant, he joined Valley Bank as a Vice President in their Trust Department. During the next ten years Andy served the trust industry as Co-chairman of the National Trust Conference and then as Chairman of the New England Trust Conference. He joined the Old Colony Bank, a subsidiary of Bank of Boston, in 1976 as Trust Department Head in Western Massachusetts and played a role as a member of the Senior Management Team responsible for marketing and image building in the business community. In 1986, Skroback opened his own financial service and investment business, Skroback and Associates, working closely with small business owners and affluent people who need creative estate planning. Andy and his wife, Barbara believed in giving back to their community. His civic activities included: President of Springfield Jaycees which received recognition for many community projects including their project “Whose Crises, i.e, it takes people to solve people problems” contrary to today’s philosophy of government sponsored welfare. Andy was honored at the National Jaycees convention as one of 50 outstanding Jaycees President out of 5500. Skroback also served the community as Chairman of Special Gifts Division of the United Way. He served as President of the Springfield Symphony for two years during the time they paid off their debt and then was made an honorary Trustee for Life. He served as President of the Springfield Chapter of Chartered Life Underwriters and President of Greater Springfield Epilepsy Association. Andy has been a member of the Springfield Rotary since 1972. He served on the Advisory Committee of the Western New England Tax Institute. While on the Board of Directors of the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning he negotiated a long term lease with the Roman Catholic Bishop Diocese of Springfield for the Rectory of the Holy Name of Jesus parish building which now houses the Museum Artifacts of the History of the Polish migration to America at the beginning of the last century. During this time he served as Honorary Chairman of the National fund drive to raise funds necessary for the restoration of and addition to the Cultural Center. Andy loved golf, teaching his grandchildren a life lesson, feeding the birds, cocktails with friends, the joy of family and his “Saint’ Barbara. They have belonged to the Springfield Country Club since 1966. In lieu of flowers donation may be made to The Zoo in Forest Park, 293 Sumner Ave., Springfield, MA 01108 or the Polish Cultural Center mail to: Polish Center at Elms College, 33 South St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, November 22nd from 3-6PM at Forastiere Smith Funeral and Cremation, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. Andy’s Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 23rd at St. Patrick’s Church, 1900 Allen St., Springfield at 11AM. For more information or to leave a condolence for the family please visit: www.forastiere.com.