James Quilter Jr.
Ledyard — James J. “Skip” Quilter Jr., 76, of Gales Ferry, died surrounded by family at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Skip was born July 15, 1947, in West New York, N.J., the son of the late James J. Quilter Sr. and the late Marian Quilter.
He graduated from Memorial High School in West New York, N.J., in 1965. He enlisted directly into the United States Navy, achieving the rank of petty officer third class, and served on various ships in Virginia and San Diego as part of the engineering departments. He also served in Vietnam on minesweeping boats. He was honorably discharged in 1969.
On Oct. 24, 1970, he married the love of his life, Joanne (Biddiscombe) Quilter, and they raised a family (and extended family) together in Gales Ferry, until her passing in 2002. Skip took the welding talents he developed in the Navy and built an impressive career building submarines in Florida, New Jersey, and ultimately accepted a welding position at Electric Boat in Groton. He was quickly offered a welding supervisor position, at which he excelled until he retired after 12 years in 1990.
He was an incredible father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, son, cousin, uncle, in-law and friend to so many people. He always had a story to tell or a joke to play on you, and was always ready for a card game, especially Cribbage. Despite losing his vision in his 40s, it rarely slowed him down from living a full, happy life. This included coaching his sons’ baseball teams, teaching his children to drive, rebuilding a kitchen or performing other repairs (often using duct tape), taking trains and buses to visit family out-ofstate, going on vacations and many cruises, and attending his grandchildren’s countless activities. He was a loving and sensitive man with a wonderful smile that will be missed by so many.
Skip is survived by daughter Tracy Quilter of New London; son Bryan Quilter and wife Priscilla of Gales Ferry; and son Michael Quilter and wife Tricia of Charlton, Mass.; grandchildren: Brittni McClure, Brooklyn Young, Ayden Quilter, Allyson Quilter, Emily Quilter and Daniel Quilter; In addition to great-grandchildren, Mason Whitfield, Adonis McClure, and Ezekiel McClure. Siblings are (late) Barbara Fyfe and husband Kenny of Waretown, N.J.; Tom Quilter and wife Helen of Dayton, N.J.; Dawn Chromey and husband Rick of East Norriton, Pa.; and special cousin Sue Borchers and husband John of Orefield, Pa. Skip was predeceased by fiancée Nancy Andreas of Macungie, Pa.
The family would like to recognize his great friends Lori and Rich Gee, Charlene Huhtala, Janet Huhtala, Edd and Marsha Ley, Andrew and Carol Steward, and all of the wonderful people at the Ledyard Senior Center, where he spent many happy days.
Per Skip’s wishes, the family will hold a Celebration of Life memorial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blinded Veterans Association: BVA.org. It was a cause he was tremendously passionate about.
Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com to leave the family an online condolence.