Chris Skoby, Longtime Valley Restaurant Owner, Dies at 75

Chris Skoby, who operated nearly a dozen Valley restaurants during his 52-year career, has died at 75.

Skoby died of cancer Wednesday8 at his Calabasas home, according to his daughter, Michelle Skoby of Los Angeles.

A native of Kalamazoo, Mich., Skoby attended the University of Michigan before joining the Army Air Corps during World War II. He achieved the rank of second lieutenant and as a bomber pilot flew 32 missions over Germany during 1944-45.

In 1959, Skoby met his future wife, Helen, and the couple moved to California a short time later. They lived in Woodland Hills, Encino and--since 1989--Calabasas.

Skoby was active in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church for several decades, donating thousands of hours of time when he was not tending to his restaurants. His commitment to both was reflected in his ascent to president of the California Restaurant Assn. in 1978-79 and his selection as archon of the church by the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Council in 1985. He was also past president of the parish council of the church.

In 1946, Skoby and his brother, John, who would remain his partner throughout most of his career, opened Skoby’s Drive-In in North Hollywood.

Skoby restaurants that followed included The King’s Arms in Toluca Lake, The Queen’s Arms in Encino and Blackbeard’s (Skoby was an avid boater), with locations in Newport Beach and on Maui.

Skoby’s only remaining restaurant, like the first, is simply named Skoby’s, in Chatsworth.

Skoby owned a boat called “The Old Spice,” named after his favorite cologne, on which he and his wife would sail to Catalina and Mexico.

In addition to his daughter and brother, Skoby is survived by a son, Louis of Calabasas; another daughter, Cristina Skoby of Sherman Oaks; two sisters, Koula Bachakes of Laguna Niguel and Sophie Schwer; and a grandson.

A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. today at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church; interment will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, 22601 Lassen St., Chatsworth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the church.