Obituary of Skip Coutts

Archibald “Skip” Coutts Jr of Fort Washington passed away at his home surrounded by family on Sunday December 6, 2020. Skip was born on May 25, 1935 in Whitemarsh at the HIghlands Estate where he lived with his mother, Mary nee Finnegan and father, Archibald Sr. Skip had an older brother James David, and sister Mary Sheehan. Skip was married to Elizabeth nee Burns in 1957 who passed away on March 26, 2018. They are survived by their ten children: Andrew (Eileen Brazil), Robert, Elizabeth Hubler (Theodore) , John (Deborah), Edward (Linda Morris), Linda Brodsky (Michael), Daniel (Stacey Sorborne), Sarah McGlade (Michael), Anne Stokes (Timothy), and Patricia Jones (Stephen). Skip is also survived by thirty grandchildren and seventeen  great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and his dog Sunny. 

Skip graduated from Springfield High School and went to work as a carpenter’s apprentice for B.F. Gotwals General Contractor in Flourtown. Skip worked at Gotwals until 1991 when he bought the company. Skip served customers in Chestnut HIll, Whitemarsh, and several surrounding neighborhoods until 2014 when he retired. Skip was an excellent craftsman and did quality work for his customers as well as being honest and reliable.

Skip was a dedicated father who worked hard every day of his life to provide a loving and comfortable home for his family. Skip was involved with the Boy Scouts with his five sons, and always had time for his children. The home that Skip and his wife Betty created was a warm and happy place, lively with antics of ten kids, dogs, and cats and even a bird at one point. The house was then filled with the many grandchildren, and then the great grandchildren. The family relied on Skip as the rock of the family, and he provided the perfect role model for a father and a citizen. 

The funeral will be for family only due to the COVID19. He will be interred at Whitemarsh Memorial Park alongside his great love, Betty.