MAGNOLIA - Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Jerold Frank Skaggs "Jerry," who spent his childhood and young adulthood in Montana, passed away Monday, Aug. 23, 2010, after a courageous battle of prostate cancer and complications from a stroke. Born in Billings, Mont., on Aug. 27, 1936, Jerry lived in Magnolia, for the past eight years. Before moving here, he lived in East Millstone, N.J., for 15 years, and 11 years in South Plainfield, N.J. He graduated from Montana State University and then joined the Navy where he served his country proudly. He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander in 1982 after serving for 23 years. Throughout his 23 year career, he was stationed in Japan, Guam, and both Pacific and Atlantic coasts and was a Surface Warfare Officer on ships which operated in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean and the Pacific. He owned a Lawn Doctor of Mountainside/Cranford/NJ business for 11 years before fully retiring in 1993. Jerry loved gardening, enjoyed NASCAR, and watching football, always rooting for the navy teams. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. He was a member of the American Legion and Retired Officers Association. His first wife of 24 years, LaVonne, died in 1985. Surviving are his wife of 22 years, Anita Skaggs; his daughter, Wendy Beleno of Great Meadows, N.J.; his son, Mark Skaggs and his wife Laura of Lucas, Texas; son, Christopher Skaggs and his wife Marycarol of Havre de Grace, Md.; two sisters, Patricia Nile of Forsyth, Mont., and Sue Ellen Goosey and husband Erin of Naples, Fla.; and brother, Robert Skaggs and wife Sharon of Billings, Mont. He also leaves three stepchildren, Kevin Berezansky of Phillisburg, N.J., Douglas Berezansky and wife Lisa of Berlin, N.J., and Stephen Berezanksy and wife Karen of Newark. He also leaves 17 grandchildren, Heather, Alex, Ben, Jack, Sam, Sophie, Mitchell, Daniela, Andrea, Tara, Ian, Joe, Ryan, Jenna, Andrew, Stephen, and Zachary, whom he loved dearly. Services are private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Silver Lake Center, 1080 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE 19901. Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.