Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Doug Skaff, Jr., a former state delegate and the president of HD Media, which publishes the Charleston Gazette-Mail, died Tuesday in a vehicle crash in Lewis County. He was 48.
Details about the crash, which shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 79 near Mile Marker 101 for several hours Tuesday afternoon, have not yet been released.
In addition to leading the Huntington-based publishing company that includes two daily newspapers and nearly a dozen weeklies in West Virginia, Virginia and Ohio, Skaff in 2024 assumed the role of interim president of the West Virginia Press Association.
Prior to that, Skaff served in the West Virginia Legislature, representing the 57th district in Kanawha County. A Democrat, Skaff served from January 2020 until August 2023, finishing as Minority Leader before switching parties to run for Secretary of State. He lost in the 2024 Republican primary to eventual general election winner Kris Warner.
Doug Reynolds, managing partner of HD Media and Skaff’s longtime friend, described him as “an incredible rarity.”
“I’ve known Doug for 25, 26 years,” Reynolds said. “I knew him when he was in school, in the Legislature, in business. He’s probably one of the most energetic, finest entrepreneurs and public servants I’ve known. Just unflappable optimism.
“He literally is unbelievable. [It’s] terrible for our state to lose a leader like that. They don’t make people like him.”
Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin also expressed shock at the news.
“I am shocked and heartbroken to learn of the passing of former WV Delegate Doug Skaff. He was an outstanding public servant, and businessman, but most importantly he was a wonderful husband, father and son. My prayers are with his wife, their three beautiful boys and his entire family during this difficult time. The City of Charleston, Kanawha County and the State of West Virginia have lost a true champion for her people.”
Goodwin has ordered all city flags at half-staff through the day of funeral services.
In May, Skaff announced he was part of an ownership group that purchased Fazio’s Italian Restaurant in Charleston. He also served as managing member of Building & Remodeling Warehouse and was the vice president of Skaff Family Limited Commercial Development.
Skaff lived in South Charleston with his wife, Marisa, and three sons, Andrew, Elias and Alexander.
“Doug was incredibly passionate about HD Media, but his family was always his top priority,” said Jeff Rider, executive editor of HD Media and the Charleston Gazette-Mail. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Marisa and his boys.”
Skaff was a member of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral in Charleston. Funeral service information is pending.
