Arthur F. “Skip” LaBrie, 90, of Peabody, died Saturday morning at the Rosewood Nursing Home in Peabody following a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of the late Shirley M (Berry) LaBrie with whom he shared 70 years of marriage.

Born in Peabody, he was the son of the late Arthur F Labrie Sr. and Blanche S (Ouellette) LaBrie. He was a lifelong resident of Peabody and attended Peabody Public Schools.

Skip was the owner of the Royal Construction Company for over 40 years before retiring in 1996, his son Paul had taken over the family business.

Arthur and his wife Shirley and the LaBrie family were known for their “Santa" Castle and Christmas Lights” home attraction in Peabody, an annual event held during the Christmas Season. With its enormous local popularity, their Christmas lights display moved to the Stone Zoo in Stoneham.

The LaBrie’s Christmas display started out of their love for Christmas and quickly became a way to give back to their community. All proceeds collected from the wishing well and fountain found outside their home were donated to local charities including Haven from Hunger in Peabody, abused infants and toddlers of Greg House in Lynn, and to the Dana Farber Cancer institute.

Skip is survived by his two sons, Paul M LaBrie and his fiancé Anne Carpenter of Peabody and Michael and his wife Debbie LaBrie of Peabody, his two daughters, Joy Taylor of Peabody and Linda Hassapis and her fiancé James Bonfanti of North Reading and is also survived by his 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held today Monday from 5:00 until 8:00 PM and his Funeral Service will be on Tuesday at 12:30 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.

Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Lake St, Peabody.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.