PawSox owner James Skeffington dies

ATTORNEY JAMES J. Skeffington, the new team president of the Pawtucket Red Sox, died Sunday, his spokeswoman confirmed. Skeffington is seen in this file photo from April telling reporters about the plan to move the AAA baseball team to Providence. 

 / PBN FILE PHOTO/MARY MACDONALD
ATTORNEY JAMES J. Skeffington, the new team president of the Pawtucket Red Sox, died Sunday, his spokeswoman confirmed. Skeffington is seen in this file photo from April telling reporters about the plan to move the AAA baseball team to Providence. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MARY MACDONALD

(Updated 1:04, 1:28, 3:01 and 4:07 p.m.) PROVIDENCE – James J. Skeffington, the prominent lawyer who was part of the new Pawtucket Red Sox ownership that is trying to move the team to Providence, died Sunday while jogging near his home, his spokeswoman Patti Doyle confirmed.
Skeffington, of Barrington, recently celebrated his 73rd birthday, Doyle said.
She confirmed his death with “profound sadness” and said his family would release a statement later today.

Skeffington, a partner with Locke Lord LLP, along with Boston Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino, led the group that bought the team from longtime owners Madeleine Mondor, widow of the late Ben Mondor, for an undisclosed price.
The sale was announced in February and since then Skeffington had been publicly pitching the proposal to move the team to the former Interstate 195 land on the west side of the Providence River.
The team has offered to invest $85 million into the project if the state would put up $4 million a year and the city would exempt the ballpark from paying real estate taxes – each for 30 years. Negotiations are under way with the state.
The Providence site, Skeffington had said, offered the new ownership a chance to build a state-of-the-art stadium with modern amenities.
The PawSox said that “Jim was an extremely loyal and charitable man who, in his all too brief time with the PawSox, relished his new role as club president. He enjoyed learning all he could about the PawSox operation and meeting fans, staff, and players.”
“Jim was committed to keeping the PawSox in Rhode Island and sharing his vision for a new ballpark,” the PawSox said.
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza released a statement regarding Skeffington.
“I am very saddened to learn of the passing of James Skeffington and extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” Elorza said. “Jim was a Providence native who reached the highest levels of professional accomplishment but never lost touch with his community. He cared deeply about Providence and was one of our city’s leading business and civic champions. We will always remember his commitment and contributions to our community.”
U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed also released a statement about Skeffington, saying they worked together at Edwards & Angell in the 1980s.
“I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Jim Skeffington … He was a brilliant lawyer and a genuine, kind person. Jim was passionate about Rhode Island and dedicated to trying to make our state a better place. His civic-minded spirit will be missed by all who knew him and whose lives he touched,” Reed said.
Lucchino, president/CEO of the Boston Red Sox and chairman of the PawSox, said they have “suffered an enormous loss, both personally and professionally. We have lost a close and loyal friend, a great business partner and a veritable Rhode Island institution.”
“On a personal level, I will miss a good and decent man who for many years has been a dear friend to me. I could always rely on his candor, camaraderie and compassion. He may have been the most generous person I have ever known; there was never a check he wouldn’t grab; there was never a worthy charitable cause he would not support.

“His devotion to his family, his steadfast faith and the loyalty he displayed to his friends set an example for all of us. He spent the last days of his life at his grandson’s First Communion, and later, grieving with the family of his childhood friend who passed away just days earlier,” Lucchino said in prepared remarks. “Skeff had a passion for baseball and a passion for life. I take some measure of comfort that he spent the last several months doing what he loved.”
Skeffington’s son, James J. Skeffington Jr., said the family has been overwhelmed by the kind thoughts and messages from friends. Skeffington also left behind a daughter, Erinn, and seven grandchildren, according to the Boston Red Sox.

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