Reflecting on the Joyous Life of Beryl Skrocki

Photos by Beth Price

By Jim Lively

Sun contributor

For nearly two decades Beryl Skrocki gently worked her way into the hearts of Empire community members, summer visitors and tourists with a unique style of silliness, compassion and joy that magically drew people to her, and also her surf shop and the Empire beach. Beryl’s life was as large as Lake Michigan, and her too-soon departure leaves an equally massive hole in her family and the Empire, surf and Great Lakes advocacy community. She passed away on October 13 at age 61. A public celebration of Beryl’s life will be held on Saturday, November 5, at noon at Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak at 10228 W. Front St. in downtown Empire. Click here to visit the Facebook event page.

And to support Beryl’s husband Frank, their children, Ella, Reiss and Annabel, and Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak during this unimaginably difficult moment, friends of the family and shop have set up a GoFundMe page.

The profound sadness of this loss is mitigated by the joy everyone who knew Beryl is now reliving, sharing and appreciating about the vibrant and gleeful woman who raised three dynamic children, built the iconic Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak shop in downtown Empire, advocated to protect the Great Lakes, and was friend to any person—or four-legged creature—lucky enough to cross her path.

The surf shop was more than just a place to rent paddle boards and schedule surf lessons, it was Beryl’s forum for building a community of kids, vacationers and local water-lovers around the Empire beach. She wanted to share the joy of living an outdoor life in the shadow of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the shop was the vehicle that helped her family, and hundreds of other families, find the gear, knowledge and encouragement to get out into the surf, on a trail, or into the snow. The Surf & Kayak shop shop has all the stuff necessary to enjoy the beach—surf boards, skate boards, bicycles, swim trunks, and all kinds of cool gear and clothing, but also the magical enthusiasm that comes from the staff of water-loving Skrockis. Beryl’s surf shop has legions of loyal followers who are deeply grateful to have found a friendly, unpretentious place that promotes having fun in the surf, on the beach and along the shore of the Great Lakes.

But Beryl was much more than just a “retail goddess”—she also assumed a role of Mom to so many young kids who entered her life through her surf shop, or through a connection with one of her three kids—Ella, Reiss and Annabel. Her kids were her focus, and she dedicated herself to raising them in the idyllic setting of the Sleeping Bear Dunes and with a magical childhood. But her love was boundless and generous as she welcomed in all the other kids that crossed into her sphere. That’s how my wife Kelly and I became friends with Beryl and her husband Frank—through a fast friendship between our youngest daughter Annie and their youngest Annabel.

Our connection started appropriately with humor one day when Annie was in second grade at Glen Lake school, and announced that she had made a new friend named Annabel, and that she had also met her Mom, who she also really liked—but she wasn’t sure of her name. Perhaps it was Bucket, or maybe it was Pail … We were puzzled until we finally met Beryl (Barrel!?) and understood Annie’s attraction. Annie and Annabel’s friendship adjusted as they grew, but a permanent bond of friendship developed between all the Livelys and Skrockis as we shared the joys of raising a family and growing a community together in this beautiful area.

Beryl had plenty of room in her heart to repeat that role of ‘second Mom’ with dozens more kids over the years that were friends or maybe just acquaintances of her kids; or sometimes vacationing kids that were enamored by the lure of the surf shop. Beryl took them all in and injected them with her infectious love of Lake Michigan and beach life. The Skrocki house was always full of kids running through, grabbing food, changing clothes, or sleeping over. And Beryl encouraged all the youthful outdoor adventures, offering to drive and provide provisions, or join in. Often it was hard to tell if she was a parent or one of the kids, in her Converse All-Star shoes, cutoff jeans, baseball cap and ever-present grin.

Beryl couldn’t contain her joy for life, and it regularly escaped into her vocabulary and her fashion. She laced her sentences with “Beryl-isms”, a vernacular all her own that included words like “scrumpdidlyicious” or “dad-gum it,” and with a delivery that was endearing and delightful. Beryl also saw her car or truck as much more than a tool for getting around, as she would deliver multiple paddle boards on top of an eye-catchingly small Mini Cooper, or perhaps in Jenny, her immaculate mint-green 1972 Chevy truck. Beryl was regularly joined by her adorable little Ratshi terrier dog, Mimi, who has her own Facebook fanclub, and is a part of any Skrocki outing, riding in a backpack adorned with a colorful costume. And as likely as not, Beryl would be wearing a silly, fun hat or other colorful item to match her always bright smile.

The Skrocki family’s most well-loved summer legacy are Friday sunset gatherings at sunset at “The Wall”—the brick bench dividing the public parking area and the Empire beach. Nearly every Friday summer evening a Skrocki vehicle will back into a parking lot at the north end of the parking lot, drop the tailgate and initiate a potluck community gathering that welcomes anyone fortunate enough to be on the beach at the magical hour. This simple idea has endured for more than 15 years because of its simplicity. There are no invitations or RSVPs, no expectations and no programs. It’s just good people enjoying a sunset together, with some shared food and drinks, in one of the most beautiful places in America. On any given Friday there are dozens of the Skrockis’ long-time friends, customers, neighbors, or perhaps a vacationing family being welcomed on their first visit to the dunes. Sunsets at the Wall will always remind the faithful of sweet Beryl, stationed at the Wall with Mimi, quietly and colorfully sharing a laugh and the beauty of a Lake Michigan sunset.

Beryl’s deep appreciation for Lake Michigan also had a serious side, as she was quick to speak out as an advocate to protect the freshwater life she loved. She was an early climate activist, riding a bus overnight to Washington. D.C. to attend a national “Forward on Climate” rally in February 2013. Beryl also attended the original rally of activists at the Straits of Mackinac to raise awareness about the dangers of the aging Line 5 oil pipeline swaying in the freshwater currents in the Straits of Macinac, and the Surf & Kayak Shop has been one of the most consistent supporters of the movement to shut down Line 5. Beryl and the Surf & Kayak Shop were also founding members of the Great Lakes Business Network, which included the owners of Bells Brewery, Shorts Brewery and Cherry Republic, who joined forces to strengthen the business voice in support of protecting the Great Lakes environment. Beryl’s genuine and passionate zeal for the Great Lakes has made her a highly credible voice in the media and with government leaders.

It’s hard to imagine the Empire beach without Beryl’s boisterous giggle, as she led people into the waves no matter the weather. Yet as we share stories, ‘Beryl-isms’, and hugs at the beach, we’re reminded how a life well-lived can continue even after the person is gone. We all know we’re better for having been touched by Beryl Skrocki. And we all look forward to toasting her for many Friday sunsets to come at the Empire beach. See you there.