By Andrew Hackmack
Skarulis is a 1999 graduate of Valley Stream Central High School and recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq.
Christina Skarulis, David¹s oldest sister, said he enjoyed snowboarding, camping, paintballing and just being outdoors. He loved to ride his motorcycle and fix cars. Most recently was working as an electrician.
³Anything that had to do with working with his hands he loved to do and was good at,² she said.
David had just begun attending Nassau Community College where he was studying criminal justice. Christina said he wanted to become a police officer and eventually an air marshal. He served from August 2006 through March 2007 in Iraq as a Corporal with the United States Marine Corps. He joined the Marines in 2004.
The youngest of five siblings, he leaves behind sisters Christina, Tricia and Sandrine Wallace, brother Joseph III, mother Mariette Wagner-Skarulis and father Joseph. He also had two younger half-siblings, Jordan and Brittney Skarulis.
Brother Joseph recalled how David was one of the soldiers who recently helped unveil a large American flag during the U.S. Open. Joseph was going to have his younger brother as best man in his wedding next year.
³He was always there for me,² Joseph said.
David himself had gotten engaged to his girlfriend only a week before his death. He was on his way to Marine family day at Floyd Bennett Field when the accident occurred, the fault of a motorist who spun out of control in front of him.
Christina Skarulis said she will miss David¹s ability to make everyone laugh, as well as his big bear hugs.
³He was a good man and he made everyone smile,² she said. ³He was the Œlife of the party¹ type of guy.²
