This article, originally published by Al Zucaro on BocaWatch.org, is preserved for historical purposes by Massive Impressions Online Marketing in Boca Raton.
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‘A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out’ – George Bernard Shaw
Remembering Skip Sheffield
1947 ~ 2017
On Thursday evening local journalist Skip Sheffield passed peacefully in his sleep. To many Skip represented the face of old Boca and in every respect he represented the best of Boca.
For forty years the Boca Raton News was his platform for reviewing the arts and unlike many writers he did not pander to advertisers, praise from Skip was always well deserved.
He continued to observe and critique right up until the end with a moving review of the movie ‘Dunkirk’ as well as some comical observations of the film ‘50 Shades Darker’.
As one of his 1800 Facebook friends I knew Skip to be a rocker, a writer and a photographer.
I looked forward to his random photos and pithy captions as a way of reminding me that we live in paradise. Skip’s bicycle and camera took him off the beaten track to capture the moment in a simple snap shot of serenity.
A fellow patron of the arts, Yvonne Boice, said of his passing, “Skip will always be remembered with love and admiration for his unwavering support for all things cultural. His talents in music, art and print; his ever presence on the charitable circuit and his welcoming personality casts a lasting imprint on all that is Boca. I for one will miss him….”
While I wasn’t a close friend of Skip’s I will miss him too, Skip loved this city and so he loved us all.
Katie Barr
Katie, that was a very nice memory of Skip. I thought he was great too.
Skip was Boca Raton !and Yes Katie that was nice.
I knew Skip since 1966 and have been keeping in touch. What a nice write-up.
A little bit of Boca’s soul and heart was ripped out with his passing.
WHEN I FIRST BECAME A CRITIC FOR 35 YEARS WITH MY THEATRE COLULM THEATRE HAPPENINGS AND WAS INTRODUCED TO SKIP WHO GAVE ME SOME POINTERS OF GETTING THE GOOD WORD OUT FOR SHOWS IN ADDITION TO HIS REVIEWING MY STAGE APPEARNCES IN PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE AND FUNNYTHING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FOURUM PLUS WORKING AS CO STAR WITH ANDY DEVINE AT THE DINNER THEATRE WE WOULD ALSO MEET AT THE LITTLE PALM CHILDRENS THEATRE ON SATURDAYS AS PER DOC PETERSON..I WOULD BRING MY GRANDSONS STEVE & ALEX WHO EVERY WEEEK WANTED TO BE ON STSGE TO SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THEMSELVES IN FRONT OF THE AUDIENCE AT THE ROYAL PALM DINNER THEATRE N BOCA. YES HE WAS A TERRIFIC CRITC AND A FAIR ONE WE MISS HIM A LOT BURT RICHARDS
Skip was very generous with his time for anyone who fostered the Arts in his revered hometown…such a nice man…loss is a terrible truth…he will be missed…
“Skip” Sheffield was my first cousin. His Dad and my Mom were brother and sister. Altho’ I lived in New England a good part of
the time and Skip in FL, we did see each other on visits. He was the quietest of the four older children of Norman & Carol, deep
in contemplation. Where his mind “visited” from time to time, only he knew. I have fond memories of the brief encounters we had;
those never to be forgotten. I loved you, cousin, more than you knew.
BJK
Excellent post Katie. Only the good die young.