Tommy Skymer
Tommy Skymer, 1926
Tommy Skymer was born Thomas J. Skymer on May 21, 1909 in Lycoming County PA, to Thomas A. and Mary Skymer, both of whom were born in Italy. Both he and his older brother Louis “Lew” Skymer were talented boxers in the Camden area Golden Gloves amateur circuit in the 1920s and 1930s, the same circuit that had sent Camden boxer Leon Lucas to the Olympics in 1928.
After the birth of youngest son Albert, the Skymer family moved to Camden in 1912. The Skymers are listed at 6 South 2nd Street in the 1913 and 1914 Camden City Directories, then at 4 South 2nd Street in the 1915 edition. Thomas A. Skymer worked as a laborer during these years. In 1916 Thomas A. Skymer moved his family to 330 Mickle Street, which had been the home of famous 19th Century architect Stephen Decatur Button, who designed the Richard Fetters School and the City Hall that was in use prior to the current one was constructed. This house also was next door to the home of the late poet Walt Whitman at 328 Mickle Street. Thomas A. Skymer also ventured into business in 1916, operating a jitney service that ran from 9th and State Street in North Camden to the Vine Street Ferry Terminal. In 1919 he founded Skymer & Sons Auto Supplies. The 1920 census reveals that at that point Thomas A. Skymer was still involved in the jitney business. By 1922 Thomas A. Skymer had acquired the building at 1309 Broadway, where he also conducted his auto supply business, which evolved into Skymer Tire Service. The family lived at the Broadway address as well, in quarters above the store.
Tommy Skymer attended Camden’s public schools, and was a student at Cooper B. Hatch Middle School for a time. The 1930 Census shows the family at 1309 Broadway, listing sons Louis “Lew” Skymer’s occupation as machinist, while brother Thomas J. “Tommy” Skymer was a painter for a sign company. Albert was also doing work. Thomas A. Skymer remained involved in the auto supply and tire business until his retirement in 1941.
Tommy Skymer was one of the many fine Italian fighters to come out of South Camden in the 1920s, the list including his brother Lew, Frankie Rapp, Roxie Allen, Pee Wee Ross, and brothers Frankie and Mickey Blair. He fought Rapp as an amateur, losing that decision, but overall his amateur boxing career was a successful one. After taking the better part of a year off to recuperate from a knee injury, turned professional in the early 1930s. Boxing was not to be his career for long, however.
After graduating from hairdressing school, Tommy Skymer eventually opened a beauty salon at 108 North 5th Street in Camden as early as January of 1938. He married Josephine Grasso in 1940. The Skymers owned and operated the Thomas Beauty Salon at 521 Cooper Street in Camden NJ in the late 1940s. Daughter Jo Ann Skymer Hirsch wrote in July of 2004 “My parents were both hair dressers … My father was a hair colorist and my mom a hair dresser.”
Tommy and Josephine Skymer later moved to Lake Worth FL and owned and operated the Thomas Beauty Salon there during the 1950s. In the mid 1950s Tommy Skymer founded the Merchantville Auction & Farmers Market, later the Cherry Hill Discount Market. The Skymer family moved back to New Jersey around 1954–1955. As partners Tommy and Josephine ran the Mart, until it burned down on February 9, 1965. After a few years, Josephine Skymer founded a lamp and lighting business within the Market.
When the Market burned down in 1965, Josephine Skymer then started the Jo Skymer Lamps business on Rt. 130 in Pennsauken, NJ. Tommy Skymer and children Thomas Jr. and Jo Ann soon joined the business, which although under new ownership remains open today.
Tommy Skymer kept his interest in boxing, and was involved with the Veterans Boxing Association Ring No. 6, based in Camden.
Thomas Skymer passed away on June 4, 1992, survived by his wife, son Thomas Jr. and daughter JoAnn. Josephine Skymer remained at the business until her retirement in 1996. She joined her husband December 16, 2000.
Thanks to Jo Ann Skymer Hirsch for her help in creating this page, and for providing images seen here.
The Skymer Family
Thomas A. & Mary Skymer with sons Lew, Thomas J., & Albert
330 Mickle Street
Named: 330 Mickle Street, October 1, 2005. Home of Stephen Decatur Button (1870s, and 1897); Lew Skymer & Tommy Skymer (1920s).
330 Mickle Street, Camden NJ
Cooper B. Hatch Junior High School — 1925
Cooper B. Hatch Junior High School — 1925 “9AS Graduating Class.” Tommy Skymer: 1st row seated, 4th from left.
Skymer Tire Service — 1309 Broadway
The Skymer Family and friends in front of Skymer Tire Service, 1309 Broadway
Tom Skymer Ready for Money-Makers
Camden Courier-Post — Early 1930s
Local Amateur Welterweight Announces Entrance Into Professional Ranks
Tommy Skymer, one of the best amateur welterweights ever developed here, today announced that he has forsaken the ranks of the “Simon pures” and hereafter will confine his fistic activities to professional circles.
Tommy, a brother of Lew Skymer, who was a promising lightweight prospect several years ago, but who was forced to retire from the game due to a cataract forming on his left eye, only lost one bout in 23 starts during his amateur career. Frankie Rapp, downtown Italian, handed Tommy his only setback during the summer of 1926. Since that time, Skymer never finished on the short end of a decision.
He established a great record in August 1928, winning two championships in two different tourneys on the same night. He licked Harry Saha, of Philadelphia, at the Philadelphia Arena to win the welterweight championship of Mr. Saha’s club, then jumped back to Camden to defeat both Larry Wade and “Midge” Edwards to win the junior welterweight championship of the Courier-Post Relief Fund tourney.
A torn ligament in his left knee has kept him on the sidelines for the past year, but he stated today that the injury has responded to treatment and that he is ready to try his luck among the money-makers.
He will box under the management of Lew, who is open to receive offers for Tommy’s appearance at any club in this district. Lew can be reached at 1309 Broadway.
Hairdressing School Graduation
Thomas J. Skymer (bottom row, third from right) — Graduation picture from hairdressing school
Thomas Beauty Salon — January 8, 1938
Camden Courier-Post
Reg. $3.50 Oil PERMANENT
SPECIAL COMPLETE $2
3 Beauty Aids …… $1
THOMAS BEAUTY SALON
108 N. Fifth Camden 6699
Beauty Shops Join to Raise Standards
Camden Courier-Post —
First Meeting Held Here in National Campaign for Improvement
Camden beauty shop owners organized last night at the Hotel Walt Whitman under plans of the American Beauticians’ Equity, according to Edward F. Shepperd, editor of the official journal and president of the organization’s parent body.
He called the meeting in the hotel and said another meeting would be held next Monday to organize the beauty shop operators.
The organization is trying to raise standards of the work in each branch through schools under state regulations, Shepperd said. Local activities will be carried on by the local units, he said.
Officers of Camden Chapter No. 2 were elected. They are Joseph Scherneck, president; Louis Maise, vice president; Leo Italiano, second vice president; Curt Butz, secretary; Miss Thelma Campbell, treasurer; Thomas Skymer, Mrs. A. Posternock, John Kron, Mrs. Evelyn Koch and Samuel Janetti, directors.
The ideals of the organization, Shepperd said, are to protect the public from injurious cosmetics by setting up a label of approval through the equity bureau of standards, and to demand a higher requirement of those seeking state licenses.
Meetings of the chapter will be held semi-monthly in headquarters to be obtained soon.
Thomas Beauty Salon — February 18, 1938
Camden Courier-Post
SPRING PERMANENT WAVES
$2 UP
Complete
3 Beauty Aids $1
THOMAS BEAUTY SALON
108 N. 5th St.
Near Market
Camden 6699
[Photo: Josephine Grasso]
Mildred Burke at Thomas Beauty Salon
Mildred Burke, Kansas City, Mo., queen of women wrestlers, characterizes and submits to feminine whims. She is undergoing a henna, wave and manicure by Thomas and Josephine Skymer, at Thomas Beauty Salon, before her bout tonight against Gladys Giles in Camden Convention Hall.
Photos
Tommy Skymer in his salon
Tommy & Josephine Skymer & with friends. “This picture is of my parents and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Costanza. He had big architect firm and then his sons went into it. I do not know who the other couple is.” — Jo Ann Skymer Hirsch
With Mickey Walker
From Left to Right: Unknown, Caesar Campana Jr., ex-champion Mickey Walker, Tommy Skymer, Unknown
From Left to Right: Unknown, ex-champion Mickey Walker, Caesar Campana Jr., Tommy Skymer, Caesar Campana Sr.
Market, Auction Opens Wednesday, in Delaware Twp.
Camden Courier-Post — mid-1950s
A new Farmer’s Market and Auction will open Wednesday on Cuthbert rd., between Marlton pike and Route 38, Delaware Township, approximately one mile from Airport Circle.
The market will be operated by Thomas Skymer and will feature men’s clothing, women’s and children’s accessories; meats, cheeses, chickens, eggs, produce, fruit, storm windows, roofing and sidings; permastone, old coins and stamps, candies and baked goods.
Skymer said that it would be operated day and night on all succeeding Wednesdays. It is equipped with a lunch counter serving sandwiches and soft drinks. There are two auctioneers, selling items for the home and shop.
Skymer said that all merchandise would be sold on a satisfaction guaranteed basis or money would be refunded. The grounds surrounding the building and stands is being graded and graveled for free parking.
A Banquet at Chubby’s Restaurant — 1950s
A Banquet at Chubby’s Restaurant — “Home of the Stars” — 1950s. Tommy & Josephine Skymer (turned around, facing camera). Seated across the table, from right to left: Vera Skymer (with glasses), Julie Magis, Mr. Magis.
Camden Boxers at Kenney’s Suburban House — February 27, 1960
Camden Boxers at Kenney’s Suburban House, February 27, 1960. This appears to be from a Veterans Boxing Association Ring No. 6 Banquet. At far left, seated, is Arnold “Jersey Joe Walcott” Cream; standing behind him wearing glasses is Joe Brennan. On the left side of the table: unknown, Tommy Skymer, Lew Skymer, unknown, and Les Cranmer.
With Barney Ross and Eddie Fisher
Barney Ross (in grey suit), Eddie Fisher, and Tommy Skymer. Barney Ross, born Beryl David Rosofsky, compiled a professional record of 74 wins, 4 losses, and 3 no decisions. He was world champion at lightweight, junior welterweight, and welterweight.
Pennsauken Student On Scientific Trip
Camden Courier-Post —
Thomas J. Skymer Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Skymer, 3821 Plymouth Avenue, Pennsauken, is accompanying Dr. Horace Richards of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia on a trip which culminates at the University of Tokyo, where they will attend the Pacific Science Congress.
Skymer, a senior at Rutgers, has worked part time at the museum with Dr. Richards for more than a year, labeling and marking stones, fossils and formations.
In January he and the doctor took a trip to South Florida and the Bahamas to study and gather fossils and formations.
Due to the airline strike, the two will fly to Amsterdam by way of London. Then they will fly over the North Pole in Anchorage and on to Alaska, where they will do geological field work.
Next stop will be Tokyo for 10 days to attend the Science Congress.
Dr. Richards will lecture and read papers on his studies of the Pacific shoreline from Alaska to Chile.
After the Congress they will fly to Honolulu for three days and then to Los Angeles, returning to Philadelphia early in September.
Obituary — Thomas J. Skymer Sr.
Camden Courier-Post —
SKYMER — On June 4, 1992. Thomas J., Sr. Beloved husband of Josephine (nee Grasso), of Pennsauken, N.J., age 83 years. Devoted father of JoAnne Skymer of Sicklerville, and Thomas J., Jr. of Medford, dear brother of Rev. Albert Skymer of Fla. Loving grandfather of Amber Jo & Thomas J., III. Prior to retirement Mr. Skymer was self-employed for many years in various businesses throughout the area. Relatives and friends are invited to the funeral service on Monday 11AM at the FALCO/CARUSO FUNERAL HOME, 6600 N. Browning Rd., Pennsauken, N.J. Interment Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill. Visitation at funeral home on Sunday 7-9PM and Monday 10-11AM.