Very nice person had breakfast with him for years at Andrew’s coffee shop attended his classes at Suny while  training ..
May he Rest In Peace 

Irwin was a great neighbor. He was a good friend of ours and will be missed.

At my first COVD meeting, I knew maybe 3 people and I met Irwin.  When I did my Fellowship, I knew maybe 10 people, and Irwin was one of the first to congratulate me.  When we tried to avoid the sing-a-long at his seminar in Seattle, Irwin discovered his FAVORITE - the Salmon Martini.  When I attended my first AOA meeting, Irwin invited me to dinner, so we had a martini together and the two olives were dinner!  When we first met as a study group, we all had stories of Irwin, so we called him to say hello and have continued to do so these past 25 years.

When I think of Optometry, of COVD, of AOA, of study group, of friends, of all I have learned and shared over the years – I think fondly of Irwin - his smile, his laugh, his quick wit, his loving and supportive nature.  Irwin will always be with me, but I will always miss him.

Thank you for sharing Irwin with all of the rest of us.   My thoughts are with you in appreciation and sorrow.   I hope knowing that Irwin is well loved and will never be forgotten is a comfort.




I was fortunate to get to really know Irwin during our years of service on the COVD IECB board.  We shared many laughs and had good conversations about optometry and life.  It is amazing how much he contributed to the board not too long ago!   He would always call me Mary (he never knew why) and I would always tease him about it.  This memory always makes me smile.  He had such a good heart.  I will always cherish the time we spent together.  My condolences to the Suchoff family.

Our study group has been meeting yearly for 25 years.  Every time when we were all together, we would call Irwin.  This year on February 24th our group called Irwin and each of us got to spend some time visiting with him and telling him a favorite memory.   I am so grateful to have gotten to hear his laugh that afternoon.  He was a wonderful friend and mentor and I feel fortunate to have known him.  

Irwin was responsible for recruiting me to the SUNY College of Optometry in 1982, and Miriam and I were privileged to have an ongoing friendship with one of the most amazing individuals one could ever know.  But the remarkable thing we've learned over the past week is how many people had the same deep relationship with him, and this was the essence of Irwin's gift:  his ability to make anyone with whom he interacted feel that they were the focus of his attention.  He found so many aspects of life, in his Bronx accent, "really in-tresting" - yet  he incessantly cared about what others were up to, and minimized his own ample accomplishments.  We already miss him dearly,  and are thankful that there is a YouTube video through which we can still hear his voice, and see the twinkle in his eyes. 
https://youtu.be/RwdA-1H9DkE
To Gloria, Patti, Andew, and the entire family - may you take comfort and pride in knowing how deeply and widely he was loved.  We can never thank you enough for sharing your husband and father with us.

Irwin was my teacher, mentor, colleague, friend for over 40 years.   There are few people in this world that had a heart as big as Irwin.  He was a great listener and always made me feel like I was the most important person in the world to him as he was listening.  He was honest in offering advice, always trying to turn the glass half full from half empty.  Few people could tell or retell a joke like Irwin.  Every week I'd get the top jokes from the Wall Street guys on the NY commuter line from Irwin.  His many careers in optometry from private practice, to teaching, to administration, to editor, to examiner; from pediatric development to traumatic brain injury.  Few people had the ability to reach out to people in all areas of the profession and to count them as friends.  I will miss you my friend, as will the profession that you gave so much of your life to.

Stu Rothman

I've only know Irwin and Gloria for the past 15 years and what great years they were.  He was always interested in being of service to others even in (what some would call) his retirement year.  I had the good fortune to work with him on our HOA board and attend community parties and events.  He was on always on the go but always made time to chat as he drove or walked by the house. Irwin was interested in people and his attention and caring for others was evident. It's always hard to say good bye to fine friends, so for now Erwin, until we meet again.  

I wrote this to Irwin and do not know if he ever saw it.  However, I share it here because I am one of many who treasured him.  I do appreciate all the family pictures. Obviously he was many things to many people.  Here it is:
For Irwin –

My dear friend – 

Neera called to tell me that things have become very difficult for you and for Gloria.  These are real challenges for you – the man who was always able to negotiate pathways and take many of us along for a great ride.  Sadly, reality intrudes.

As I walked in my front door this morning, after taking my sweet little puppy out for his morning constitutional, my eyes fell on about 10 inches of issues of the JBO in the bookcase in the hallway.  On another shelf my eyes rested on numerous books containing chapters with our names on them.  These are tangible reminders of especially productive times together.  They have been there for a long time, but with Neera’s news they suddenly came into focus.

You may laugh at this, but I think about you much as I think about my mother-in-law (who lived with us for 30 years and had just died about the time you and I met).  She (much more than John) introduced me to all things Greek – language, culture, family, the land of her birth - an incredible gift which I treasure to this day.  And you gave me entre into the world of optometry at the highest levels.  Among your greatest talents is being a connector.  You brought people together and made good things happen.  I was lucky to be included.

I don’t know if our paths will cross again, but I want you to know how glad I am that our paths did cross.  You welcomed me into your world and took me places I would never have gone.  I miss those times. 

I hope the road ahead for you is as comfortable as it can be.

Fondly,

Roz  


We will miss Irwin very much, he was a great friend and wonderful neighbor.

Irwin was one of the most important people in my Optometric career.  He was a friend, a collogue, and a teacher.  His laugh was contagious.  His smile was soothing.  He was one very special person.  He was loved by all.  He will be missed.
Jeffrey and Barbara Cooper NY, NY

What an honor and privilege to have known Irwin. This is a major loss for the profession, indeed.  He helped so many people  with his knowledge, skills, kindness, and warmth.  Irwin’s influence helped many, many children & adults to succeed through vision therapy.
I remember Irwin as a very kind, optimistic and jovial soul. He will be sorely missed.

It is sad news, but what a wonderful presence he was in our lives!!! I will miss him!! Rest In Peace my friend!!

To Irwin’s family, may the many memories of good times with him help soften the pain of his passing. and may you all be comforted with the memories of the shared happy times and important lessons and blessings that Irwin passed on.

Warm thoughts and deepest sympathy during this difficult time.

Big hugs,

Barbara & Stan Appelbaum



Our hearts are broken for the loss of a wonderful friend and remarkable human being.  We send love to the family.

OBITUARY

Dr. Irwin Burton Suchoff

24 September, 1932 – 21 March, 2018

Woodstock Funeral Home

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