Emil Sokasits

Emil Sokasits passed away on Sunday August 11th with his wife by his side. He was born on May 26,1931 to Gustav and Theresa (Marakovits) Sokasits at Greenpoint Hospital Greenpoint, NY (Brooklyn).

He graduated from The New York School of Printing in June of 1949. 

Emil went to work for McKellar Platts, a commercial printing firm in Manhattan.

In 1960 he began working at the NY Herald Tribune in their composing department as a printer/ linotype operator.  He was employed there until August of 1966 when the newspaper folded. 

He then worked as a printer/ linotype operator for 32 years at the NY Times from September of 1966 until his retirement in January of 1998. Emil was a lifelong member of the International Typographical Union, NY Typographical Union #6 aka The Big 6. He was a chapel officer at The Times for the union holding the positions of Secretary, Auditor, and Label Representative.  The union was absorbed and merged in 1986 with the Communications Workers of America Printing Publishing and Media workers' sector. 

On August 27,1960 Emil married Cathleen Zeiss. They were married for nearly 64 years.

Emil is survived by his wife, sons Scott and Glen and his wife Katlyn (Durfee). His Brother Edward. 

He is predeceased by his mother and father. He is also predeceased by his brothers Daniel, Walter, Rudi, and sister Martha. 

Emil’s passion was music. He played the trumpet and drums. Playing club dates, weddings and other events. In 1979 he joined the Rockland County Concert Band. He also was a charter member of the Reflections Jazz and Swing band, which formed in 1999. He was second and third chair on the trumpet. 

Emil enjoyed swimming, tennis, ice skating and playing golf, but most of all he loved boating, motor boating and canoeing. His most cherished place was Lake George, specifically Bolton Landing Northwest Bay.

In his youth he was a member of the Ridgewood Pentecostal Church, in Ridgewood, NY (Brooklyn). Later in life he became a member of Atonement Lutheran Church in Stony Point NY. 

Calling hours will be Sunday August 18th from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at TJ McGowan Funeral Home 71 N Central Highway Garnerville, NY. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, alz.org/hudsonvalley, in his name. 

A church service will be held on Monday August 19th 10:00AM at Atonement Lutheran Church 71 N Central Highway. Burial at Mt Repose Cemetery Haverstraw, NY.