No one knows the roads of Tinicum Township better than Doug Skelton.
Whether large or small, paved, dirt or gravel, Skelton has traveled them, plowed them and cleared them of downed trees.
Upon his retirement last month, he was honored by the township where he’s worked, volunteered and lived much of his life.
“Tinicum Township made one of its best decisions in 1986 when (it) hired Doug,” officials wrote in the resolution recognizing Skelton. “He served in positions with increasing responsibility and leadership within the Public Works Department, and has been the Roadmaster and Public Works Director for over 30 years.”
The township credited Skelton for his work in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, where officials said, “He served as a true lifeline to many older residents trapped in their homes due to downed trees across their driveways.”
He also secured millions of dollars in FEMA grants for Tinicum after severe flooding and other weather events.
Skelton, officials said, “deserves full recognition” for Tinicum’s successful participation in Bucks County Conservation District’s Dirt and Gravel Road Program, securing the township nearly $600,000 in grant funding.
He gave out rides on snow plows, too. Several supervisors were treated to the “thrilling experience of riding along (with him) to plow the roads during snowstorms where they could witness this human GPS in action effortlessly navigating every inch of snow-covered township roads.”
Skelton served as Forest Warden for District 17 for 25 years, the township also noted.
But, the tireless public servant, who graduated from Central Bucks High School in 1976 and served in the Marine Corps for four years, rising to the rank of corporal, also dedicated 50 years to volunteer firefighting.
From the age of 16, he volunteered with Buckingham’s Midway Fire Department for eight years then moved to the Plumsteadville Fire Company, where he became chief officer for 13 years. He also served with the Ottsville Fire Department for more than 20 years, including 13 as chief officer and with the Delaware Valley Volunteer Fire Company for 20 years, including 10 as president. He earned the distinction of being a life member with both the Ottsville and Delaware Valley companies.
Skelton is “cherished,” officials said, as an employee, colleague and friend “who will drop anything at any time if you need help.”
“We take great pleasure in recognizing the immeasurable contributions of Doug Skelton to Tinicum Township,” the board of supervisors said.
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