By West Virginia Press Association
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Doug Skaff, Jr., a beloved leader, visionary, husband, father, and friend. Doug tragically passed away on June 10, 2025, in a car accident in Lewis County, WV. He was 48 years old.
Doug Skaff was so much more than a public figure, he was a force of nature. With an unmatched passion for West Virginia and a heart for people, Doug had a unique ability to inspire those around him. He made work feel like a journey, not a job. His energy was infectious, and his belief in people made you want to rise to the occasion. His colleagues, friends, and community remember him not just for his accomplishments, but for his warmth, laughter, and captivating energy.
Though he served for over a decade in the West Virginia House of Delegates, Doug’s true legacy lives beyond politics. As a business leader and president of HD Media, he played a vital role in revitalizing local journalism and promoting truth and transparency in our state. He was someone with big ideas and the boldness to bring them to life.
His dedication to West Virginia was further demonstrated through his involvement in various community initiatives. Doug played a pivotal role in the development of the Park Place retail project in South Charleston. He also co-chaired the Coal Communities Workgroup, working to revitalize areas impacted by the decline of the coal industry. He took on a vital leadership role at the West Virginia Press Association as Executive Director, and throughout his leadership emphasized the growth and future of the news industry. Most recently, Doug had taken on the restoration of Fazio’s Italian Restaurant, a beloved Charleston institution, with plans to preserve its legacy and reinvest in the community he loved so deeply.
Not only was Doug an incredible entrepreneur and businessman, but he was a family man above all else. Despite a demanding schedule, he never wavered in his devotion to his wife and three sons. He made time, no matter what. He was a proud father, a loving husband, and a role model for so many. His love for his family was visible in everything he did.
Doug had ambitious and impactful projects in motion aimed at bettering West Virginia; efforts that reflected his deep commitment to the state’s future. Whether through mentoring young leaders, launching community initiatives, or investing in innovation, Doug believed in building a better tomorrow for everyone. We all saw how much he wanted to help people. He was a good soul, and he deserves to be remembered not just for what he did, but for how deeply he cared.
Our hearts are with Doug’s family, his wife and three sons, during this unimaginable time. We mourn alongside them and offer our deepest, most heartfelt condolences. Doug Skaff, Jr. leaves behind a legacy of hope, integrity, and compassion. His legacy will continue to guide and inspire all of us to dream bigger, give more, and live with purpose, just as he did.
Congressman Riley M. Moore issued the following statement on Skaff’s passing:
“Tonight, Mina and I join the people of West Virginia in grieving the loss of a true Mountaineer. Doug Skaff, my good friend, was a West Virginian through and through. From his time as Student Body President at West Virginia University to his time in the West Virginia House of Delegates, Doug loved our state and our people.
CARRY In Memory of Doug Skaff, Jr. from page 4
“When we both had kids at Sacred Heart, Doug and I coached our kids’ soccer team together, and I got to see firsthand how much he loved his boys. My family cherishes memories of those soccer games, and Doug is a big part of each of them. Our hearts break for the beautiful family he leaves behind. We pray that Marisa and their boys find peace in the wake of such horrible tragedy.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.”
WV Secretary of State Kris Warner, on behalf of his staff and family, issues the following statement in regard to the death of former Delegate Doug Skaff:
“It is with very heavy hearts that my wife Joyce and I offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of former Delegate Doug Skaff on his tragic death yesterday afternoon as a result of an automobile accident.
Doug Skaff was first and foremost my friend. He was a respected businessman, a serious lawmaker, an energized public servant, and a true Mountaineer. It was no surprise to me that Doug’s latest business venture was to preserve the 80-year old traditions and family dining atmosphere when he purchased the historic Fazio’s Restaurant in Charleston. That was the Doug Skaff that I will remember.
In the last election, Doug was my very worthy opponent. We may have differed some on public policy, but we never lost sight of the need to work together for the good of West Virginia. My staff and I have collaborated on a number of issues with Doug since the last election and it was always a pleasure to work with him.
Our continued prayers go out to his wife Marisa, their three young sons, and to Doug’s parents and siblings at this very difficult time.”
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, shared the following statement:
“I am sad today. Yesterday our state lost a leader, and I lost a friend. Doug Skaff and I had been friends for over 25 years. We first met as students at WVU when he and I were there together as young men straight out of high school. Even then we would talk about what we thought the state of West Virginia could be and brainstorm ideas for making it happen. It was among the highlights of my professional life having the opportunity to work with him on some of same ideas he and I talked about over 20 years prior.
Doug loved West Virginia. He loved people, and he loved speaking up for what the future could be for us. Doug and I traveled all across the country together. We represented the state together in some of the most high-profile meetings I have ever taken, and we promoted West Virginia to anyone who would listen, all in the name of creating more opportunities for our friends, family and neighbors here in the Mountain State. Doug was a fantastic ambassador for West Virginia, and it was a privilege to share the stage with him when I had the opportunity. However, those aren’t the moments I will remember most about Doug Skaff.
The conversations Doug and I shared over the past decade as we both sought to fulfill a mission in public service always ended the same way, regardless of how they began. No matter the topic, Doug and I eventually always turned to the question of how to promote more communication among people about things that matter, and how we solve the problems that face real people in real communities. 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.
Doug accomplished a lot in his life, for himself and for others, and he was always quick to talk about plans for the future, how he wanted to improve the state and his community. But his favorite topic, and his proudest accomplishment, was his family. Doug and I never had a conversation without him asking about my family, my wife and our two daughters, and then telling me about the latest in his own family.
West Virginia is better today for the short time we had with Doug Skaff. It was my privilege to know him and work alongside him. Yesterday’s tragic accident stole a leader from our community and our state. West Virginia lost a true champion in Doug Skaff, and I lost a good friend.”
On Wednesday, Jun. 11, Governor Patrick Morrisey ordered flags to be lowered to half-mast beginning at noon to honor Skaff’s life and memory.
“I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of our friend Doug Skaff,” said Governor Morrisey. “Doug was a longtime state legislator, the Minority Leader of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and omnipresent in the Charleston community. He will be greatly missed by many. Please keep Doug’s family and loved ones in your prayers as they grieve this tragic loss.”
Governor Morrisey’s flag order applies to the Capitol Complex in Charleston and at all State facilities throughout Kanawha County. Flags will remain at half-mast until sunset on the day of internment.
