Skip was raised in, but escaped Buffalo to move to Charleston. He and his wife Ellin became a part of the Holy Cross family in 2007, and have served in various ministries over the years. Four years ago he began feeling a gentle nudge from God to pursue the deaconate, and with support from family as well as the church family, he was ordained into the Holy Order of Deacons in October of 2020. Both Skip and Ellin have a heart for the marginalized and ignored, and look forward to a pastoral ministry of bringing the message of the church and the good news of the gospel out into the community.

Skip and Ellin have three married children: Zach, Kati and Kyle, who have blessed them with seven grandchildren. Kati and the rest of the Petites regularly attend Holy Cross, as does Kyle’s family. When not working, Skip can most often be found in his woodshop, hiking, playing golf, reading about history, or playing with their two crazy border collies.