I got some shitty news from my President this morning. My friend Tony Skougaard passed away last night. I am in shock. I am extremely sad. He was a friend.
I first met Tony in 2001 when I sold my company to a company he worked for. I immediately liked him. Tony had an easy going way about him, but also didnt take any shit and voiced his opinion when he had something to say. We both liked Punk Rock, and would share music. He knew the new stuff, I knew the old stuff. He was left wing, I was right wing. We would debate and give each other shit, all in fun. I remember when he bought his harley. He was so stoked, I was the first person from the office he came to show it to. he bought well, and was proud. I was jealous. Tony was one of a kind. I am going to miss him. I already miss him.
Our daughters went to summer camp together. I hired his ex wife for a time. I had dinner at his house, and he mine. I introduced him to B.A.C.A. where he was quite honestly one of the best supporters we had, and was up for his patch. He didnt care when he got it, he was there for the right reasons. He pitched in, had your back, and partied hard. When you needed something, Tony was there. At least he was there for me. He helped me more than a few times.
I remember the phone conversations with him about joining BACA, when he was going through a hard time in his life. He said he was looking for a deeper purpose, something to ride for. I remember riding to vegas with him and him running out of gas :). I remember calling him first when I got my first tattoo, after years of him egging me on to get one. I remember him telling me to be careful, that when you get one, you’ll want more, and he was right. I remember having hard times myself, and knowing tony had my back, in the ways you know are real. The darkest night of my life had Tony on the outskirts, watching out for my interests. I remember him in the passing lane, cutting it close and laughing about it when I was shitting my pants! I remember riding thunder in the tunnel with him, before either of us was in BACA. He always had a smart ass comment, a willingness to give you what he had, and a shot of sailor jerry at the end of the day. He was a good dad and a good friend. Maybe the best.
I stayed in touch with Tony when I started up my own company again. He was one of the best customer service managers you’ll ever see, and hired him as a consultant to teach my people how to do things right. He was honest, and thorough. What you see is what you get, and what you got was true. You don’t get that good without being genuine. Tony was.
His daughter found him this morning. It rips my heart out, and I’m struggling to get over it. There is a hole left where only spike could fill. Rest in peace my brother. We’ll all miss you.
Rancid and Green Day will never sound the same again bro. You were one of a kind. Ride hard where you’re at.
I personally don’t know ‘spike’, but I morn his loss. As a follow member of B.A.C.A. my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
I worked with Tony for years and am in total disbelief. He was the most kind hearted person I knew. We would talk on the phone for hours some nights and would comfort each other as we were both going through hard times. He will be missed by any all who knew him. RIP
Tony was a heck of a nice guy. I too had the pleasure of working with Tony and I enjoyed talking with him. I recall his excitement when I financed his Harley and the even joy that bike gave him. He was a pleasure to just sit down and talk with. As stated by Alan, Tony and I were polar opposites politically but we always respected each others opinions. I will miss Tony.
Thanks for your friendship,
Kevin Pilon, Horizons
You got Tony so right! That was my little brother.. a man with the softest heart, that loved his family and his friends that were family too, with a smartass attitude and the stubborness of an Aries. What I loved so much about him was how quick witted he was, and he gave hugs that left you knowing you'd truly been hugged. His kids were his world, and he was such a huge part of mine. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to write such an eloquent rememberance of him. I know that BACA was so very important to Tony and he spoke so fondly of his brothers there. My mom and I will be at the ride tomorrow to see you all off and I hope I get a chance to meet you and give you a hug. Thank you for being such a big part of his life and for caring about him so deeply. Love and hugs, Stefanie Maples
Tony has been a part of my family for twenty years if not better. He is my brother's best friend and was another brother to me! He took me to school when I was young, picked me up, hauled me and my friends around, turned me onto Lords of Acid, and, as adults….he has simply always been a kind and genuine person! Ryan and I talked about him for hours last night, we laughed, we cried, and tried to make sense of this devasting loss of such a truly wonderful and special person. My heart breaks for his daughter, his family, my brother, Ryan, and each and every person who loves Tony. Tony……. you will never be forgotten and you will be missed every minute of every day!
What a great man he was. I watched his oldest kids in daycare and taught his son in math. He put up with so much and still rised above it all and cared for all! He will be so missed! God bless his kids they need all the prayers possible.
I don't want to tread on any open wounds, I know it's only been a few days, but I feel a certain need to know, as Tony was like an uncle to me for many years. How did he die? What was the cause? If anyone knows, it would certainly help me out, if not I'll try and get along without that information.
Either way, I rarely noticed until today that my earliest foundations in punk were not through my high school friends, but through him. My favorite music will always now be a reminder of a wonderful uncle.
I just wanted u to know how much it ment to me and the kids when we came across this blog. It was Friday night and man it was HELL in every sense of the word. David actually found it and forwarded me the link. It made me cry, it made me smile. I loved the photos you included. I sent the link to the girls and had his sister pull it up when we got to her house, we printed it out for his Mom. You know, I always knew what a great guy Tony was. but to be able to SEE that others saw and felt it too somehow seemed to help ease the huge hole he left in our hearts. Mostly tho. i knew you said it because u ment it. you wrote it cuz u felt it. It may not have been ment for everyone to see, but i am sure thankful that we did come across it.
Awe! This is so sad! I was poking around of Facebook, you know, looking up old friends from school and stuff, and thought I'd look up Tony. He was one of my first boyfriends in junior high. This isn't what I expected to find when I looked him up. My condolences for all his family and friends. He was such a super fun guy and hearing about all the great stuff he did and what loving person he was to his friends and family is so heartwarming. May he rest in peace.