'Not going to find a better servant': Ex-delegate, HD Media president Doug Skaff remembered

“You just wanted to follow him,� said Jim Strawn, a longtime friend of Skaff and a community leader.“ His legacy will continue to run throughout this state, this valley and this town. It was wide and it was deep.

“He helped so many people, directly and indirectly. I’m here to tell you, I don’t think we’ll ever know the vast depth he had. I don’t think we’ll ever know what he did for hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of West Virginians. You’re not going to find a better servant.�

Skaff, a former state delegate and the president of HD Media, which publishes the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Gazette-Mail, died Tuesday in a vehicle crash in Lewis County. He was 48.

West Virginia State Police responded at about 4 p.m. to a two-vehicle wreck in the southbound lanes of Interstate 79 near the 101-mile marker, according to a WVSP news release. Upon arrival, Cpl. George Jones observed heavy damage to an SUV. "It appeared the car had rear ended a tractor-trailer as the truck was traveling up a hill," according to the release.

'Optimistic and forward-thinking'

Strawn said he first met Skaff more than two decades ago. In the years since, the two served together on countless boards for local nonprofit organizations, including, at one time, the Roark Sullivan Lifeway Center, which helps veterans and other men experiencing homelessness.

Strawn said he admired Skaff’s “deep-rooted commitment to charity work.�

“He and I worked on endless projects together to raise money for people who were less fortunate than he and I,� Strawn said. “He did a lot of things without bringing attention to himself. His time and talents, he just gave them. He grinded so much behind the scenes, and he did it with a smile on his face. I’ve never met anyone as optimistic and forward-thinking.

“He welcomed everyone into his circle, whether they were bank presidents or the guy in need of a dollar. He listened to people. And he had an ability to make everybody feel like they were the only person he was talking to.�

Skaff represented the 57th District, which includes his hometown of South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, as a Democrat in the West Virginia Legislature on two separate occasions totaling nearly 11 years. In 2020, Skaff was selected as House minority leader, a position he held until stepping down from the post in August 2023. He resigned from his seat in the House a month later.

After switching parties in October 2023, Skaff launched a campaign for secretary of state. He was defeated in the Republican primary in May 2024.

Doug Reynolds, managing partner of HD Media and Skaff's longtime friend, described him as “an incredible rarity.�

“I’ve known Doug for 25, 26 years,� Reynolds said. “I knew him when he was in school, in the Legislature, in business. He’s probably one of the most energetic, finest entrepreneurs and public servants I’ve known. Just unflappable optimism.

“He literally is unbelievable. [It’s] terrible for our state to lose a leader like that. They don’t make people like him."

As news of Skaff’s death spread late Tuesday, friends and former colleagues from both sides of the aisle reacted. ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin and Gov. Patrick Morrisey ordered flags lowered in remembrance of Skaff.

“Doug loved West Virginia. He loved people, and he loved speaking up for what the future could be for us,� House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, said. “Doug was a fantastic ambassador for West Virginia, and it was a privilege to share the stage with him when I had the opportunity.

“Doug was convinced that, if people just spent more time together and understood each other better, all the division among people would eventually disappear into the reality of shared struggles and shared beliefs. I believed — and still believe — that he was right.�

Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston, called Skaff “a hard worker, a good friend and an amazing father to his three sons.�

“While we may have been on opposite sides of the aisle — and often on opposite sides of an issue — he always treated me with kindness and respect and with the spirit of wanting to find the best solution for West Virginia,� Smith said.

Skaff would often stop in Tony Paranzino's clothing shop on Virginia Street, in downtown ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, to talk politics — among other things. But to Paranzino, better known as Tony the Tailor, Skaff wasn’t a political figure.

“I didn’t know him as a politician, I knew him as Doug,� Paranzino said, noting a relationship that spanned more than 20 years. “He was my friend, my confidante. He’d stop by and would always have something funny to say. Doug always had a smile, always found humor in things.

“I’m going to miss my brother.�

Businessman, restaurant owner, husband, father

In addition to leading HD Media, Skaff served as managing member of Building & Remodeling Warehouse and was the vice president of Skaff Family Limited Commercial Development. In 2024, he assumed the role of interim president of the West Virginia Press Association. And, just last month, he announced his latest business venture — the purchase of Fazio’s Italian Restaurant, in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.

Between his public service and entrepreneurial interests, Skaff rarely stood still. He moved with an infectious energy that was undeniable. Yet he always found time for his family — his wife, Marisa, and sons Alexander, Elias and Andrew.

“He didn't sleep a lot, because he had so many people who wanted a piece of him and he didn’t want to let anyone down,� Strawn said. “Marisa loved him so much and would have liked to have more of him, but he wanted to be with all of us and help all of us.�

Strawn recalled spending time at Skaff’s home and watching him play with his boys.

“We'd go downstairs and play Pop-a-Shot, air hockey,� Strawn said. “And they’d just jump up on him and he would just romp and play with them. You could tell it wasn’t the only time he did that. It seemed to be a nightly ritual.

“He'd be like, ‘It’s time to go to bed but let’s get one more in.’ They’d jump on Doug’s back, just jumping on him like a Dr. Seuss book.�

Skaff was also a member of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä. The church canceled its after-school program Wednesday and instead hosted a candlelight vigil to remember Skaff.

“You want to talk about somebody who’s pro-life, pro-family? That’s Doug Skaff,� Paranzino said. “He understood the importance of family, his religion and his community."

Strawn, struggling to speak through tears shed for a dear friend, described the feelings shared by so many who knew Skaff.

“My heart hurts,� Strawn said. “I'm trying to stay strong to honor him.�