OOB man skydives to commemorate 90th birthday

LEBANON — Nick Skinsacos turns 90 years old on Saturday. To mark the occasion, he decided to jump out of an airplane.

And having done so late in the afternoon on Wednesday, he told his family members he just might do it again next year.

Skinsacos, who served in the Merchant Marine during World War II and the Korean War, was at Skydive New England at midday, getting ready to jump with six of his family members ”“ including three sons, a grandson, a nephew and a grandnephew. A host of other family members, including his wife Diane, were on hand to watch and cheer.

They were waiting for the wind to calm down before the flight and “Big Nick,” as he is known by the family, put it this way:

“At my age, what the hell else is there to do.”

That’s what he said, but it was evident he was looking forward to the prospect.

He was inspired, he said, by his son, Nick Jr., who did a skydive last fall, and by former President George H. W. Bush.

“I decided if he can do it and Bush can do it, I’d give it a try,” he said, adding “I’m a young 90.”

Skinsacos was raised in Biddeford and returned to the area after his stint in the Merchant Marine. He has been an Old Orchard Beach resident for about 40 years and owned the Sea View Motel and Captain Nick’s Ocean Lobster Pound for about 20 years.

He’s been a pilot of his own Piper Aztec, traveled around the world, and like many, spends time in Florida during the winter months.

His doctor gave the okay for the jump, he said.

Skinsacos, always adventurous, said he figured skydiving would be interesting.

He enjoys sailing, has been in a submarine a couple of times, and while he said he enjoys reading, one gets the picture that this fellow likes to be active.

“At my age, I’ve done practically everything else,” he quipped.

Except he’s never been in a helicopter, he said, so maybe that’s next.

The family arrived at Skydive New England around noon, having gone through mandatory training the previous day, and by 4 p.m., the winds had calmed enough for the tandem jumps.

It was up and over and then out the door.

He told his son, Nick Jr., he’d do it again.

And he said earlier in the day, as he watched his children and nephews and grandchildren interacting, that having the family together for an occasion like the jump was a good thing. 

“It’s better than meeting at a funeral,” he said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324”“4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282”“1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].