Career
He represented Saint Barbe in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1928 to 1932 as a Liberal. He was born in Trout River, the son of Francis Skanes and Diana Payne and was educated at Bonne Bay. In 1920, he became a travelling mail clerk.
Skanes married May Roberts in 1926.
After retiring from politics in 1932, he was employed in the civil service and private companies. He died in Saint John"s at the age of 65.