Halcyon E. Skinner

Halcyon “Hal” Edward Skinner passed away peacefully at his home on February 11, 2025. He was 78.

Born on November 21, 1946, in Yonkers, New York to Halcyon G. Skinner and Eleanor Fuller, Hal graduated from Wesleyan University in 1968. Following in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps, he went on to attend law school, leaving the Northeast for warmer weather and enrolling in Duke University School of Law. He graduated in 1973 after a two-year gap for service in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. 

Hal then moved to Jacksonville to begin his career, eventually joining the law firm Mahoney, Hadlow, Chambers, and Adams. Hal remained with Mahoney Adams until it merged with McGuireWoods in 1998, later serving as managing partner of the Jacksonville office. Hal specialized in banking and securities law and was recognized for his excellent work in that field, including recognition as a SuperLawyer many times over and Lawyer of the Year for his practice area by Jacksonville Magazine.

Hal had a deep appreciation for classical music, was a devoted attendee of the Jacksonville Symphony, and served on the Symphony Board of Directors for many years. He led by example in supporting the community, serving on the Board of Directors of Barnett Bank, regularly volunteering at the Sulzbacher Center, cooking at Beaches Community Kitchen on Mondays, and donating blood often, among other activities. Hal found joy in spending time with his family and pets, loved traveling, and was usually happiest sitting beachside at sunset with a book.

His family and friends will miss him dearly, including his dry sense of humor, his kindness, and his continuous love of learning.

Hal is survived by his wife, Ana (Garcia) Skinner; son, Halcyon Gerald Skinner of Easton, PA; daughter, Katharine Roth (Zachary), of Neptune Beach, FL; brother, Chris Skinner (Pat), of Newton, MA; and grandchildren Halcyon Skinner, Samuel Skinner, and Maria Roth. 

A Memorial Service will be held on February 21st, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Quinn Shalz Funeral Home in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.