Petrit Skende

Petrit Skende, 80 years old, of Westborough, formerly of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation Center. Petrit was born in Korca, Albania, a son of the late Dhimitri and Aspasia (Pani) Skende.  Petrit had an illustrious professional career. He was very passionate about science and scientific research. After graduating from University of Tirana, he was appointed as professor at the same university where he taught physics for many years. He went on to become the Deputy Director of the Institute of Nuclear Physics. He served in that capacity for 20 years. In the early 90s, Petrit held a number of important government positions in Albanian Government related to science and technology. At the time of his retirement in 1997, he was the Vice President of Academy of Sciences of Republic of Albania. He will be dearly missed by his students, colleagues and everyone that worked with him. Petrit’s wife of 40 years, Elisabeta (Meksi) Skende passed away on January 12, 2010.  He is survived by two sons, Andi Skende and his wife Estela of Westborough and Elvin Skende and his wife Tara of Raleigh, NC; a brother, Koli Skende of Korca, Albania; his sister, Eleni Konda of Worcester; two granddaughters Clarisse and Leora, many nieces and nephews.  Beside his parents, Petrit is pre-deceased by a brother, Jani Skende. Services for Petrit will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester with a funeral service at 10 am in St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Church, 535 Salisbury St., Worcester.  Burial next to his wife will follow in Hope Cemetery, Worcester.  Relatives and friends are invited to visit with his family on Friday, February 23rd from 4-7 pm at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA. 01609. To share your thoughts and memories of Petrit, please visit his personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com