Obituary of Nathan Sokoloff

Nathan Sokoloff On November 30th we lost a member of our family who was extremely proud to be included as one of the members of the greatest generation that ever lived. During his life time Nate, dad, Pop-Pop or Zadie experienced the Great Depression, fought in a world war and encountered numerous other life changing experiences that helped shape the type of person he was to become. He was born in Philadelphia on October 19th, 1918, a month before the end of World War I to the late Harry and Lena Sokoloff. Nate as he like to be called, passed away at the age of 99 in Sarasota, Florida. Nate and his late wife Rose were married on January 30th, 1938, and celebrated their 78th wedding prior to her death at the age of 95. He never failed to let people know the number of years he and his wife were married or how old he was. If he met someone for the first time, even if they were only a year younger, he would gleefully tell them “Heck, I have socks older than that”. Two years ago Rose and Nate relocated to Sarasota, Florida from Ocala to be closer to their daughter Harriet and her husband Marc. At the time of his death he was a resident at Bay Village in their skilled nursing unit. He was preceded in death by his brothers Joseph and Phil Sokoloff, his loving daughter Judi Dubin and her husband Ronnie and a great granddaughter, Sarah Zimmerman. Surviving is his devoted daughter Harriet and her husband Marc Rosen, 5 grandchildren and their wives - Lee and Terry Dubin, Michael and Colleen Dubin, Craig and Amy Dubin, Scott and Sheri Rosen and Ilyse and Richard Waine. Also surviving are eleven great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren After graduating from South Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia, Nate worked in a number of local manufacturing industries. One day his brother Phil asked if he would accompany him to City Hall in Philadelphia, as he was going to take the test to become a police officer. Phil never showed up, so Nate sat in on the exam as a lark . He passed with flying colors and became one of Philadelphia’s finest. He spent the next 27 years as a police officer. The last 17 were as a plain clothes detective earning many accommodations during his years of service. When asked what TV program actually portrays what really happens in a police station, without taking a moment to ponder he would answer Barney Miller. Following his retirement from the police department he worked for Mellon Bank for 14 years finally retiring at the age of 65. Nate was very active in the Lt. Milton Kelkey Post #575 of the Jewish War Veterans. He was a past post commander as well as a Past State Commander for the State of Pennsylvania. He also served on a number of board positions at the national level of the JWV. He will be truly missed by all who loved him but will always be in our hearts and minds A private family service will be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery on Tuesday, November 5th. Shiva will be observed Tuesday evening at the home of his daughter and son-in-law. The family would sincerely like to thank the entire staff at Bay Village, which became his second family, for their understanding and compassion Donations may be made in his memory to Temple Sinai, Sarasota, FL Hebrew Memorial Funeral Services of Sarasota/Manatee is serving the family. Service Information