Kenneth Edward Sokolowski

It has pleased Almighty God to call home his servant Kenneth Edward Sokolowski in the early hours of February 1st. He was wrapped in `the prayers of a vast community of family and friends. Born in Morristown, New Jersey on April 18, 1947, he was the oldest son of the late Lillian (Gall) and Edward F. Sokolowski, Jr. He is survived by Barbara J. Ruhe, his wife of 47 years; his son, Christopher and his wife, Jacksany; his daughter, Andrea; his two beloved grandsons, Bear and David; his in-laws, George and Helga Ruhe; his brothers-in-law George and Jonathan Ruhe and his two nieces Nicole and Jennifer. He was predeceased by his brother, David. He is also survived by Elene Bolorin-Colon, who in addition to managing Barbara's law office supervised Ken on a daily basis and provided Barbara with invaluable advice and support - by Maria Luisa Peralta, a friend, who came on weekends to visit and cook whose presence allowed Barbara to take some time away and finally Arlene who kept him company in the afternoons after daycare. Ken was baptized on December 24, 1947 at St Luke's Lutheran Church in Freeland, Pennsylvania. On the 70th anniversary of his baptism he was admitted to Hartford Hospital for what proved to be the beginning of his journey to glory. Ken was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Hartford, CT. Ken grew up in Boonton, New Jersey and was an honors graduate of Boonton High School, Class of 1965. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana in 1969. It was at Valpo he met Barbara. He completed his doctorate at the Pennsylvania School of Podiatric Medicine in 1973. After an internship at North Lakes Community Hospital in Illinois and working in the Chicago area for a year he established his podiatry practice in Wethersfield in 1975. He retired in June of 2014. Known by most as ""Dr. Ken"" he loved his work and his patients. He was one of the last of a breed of practitioners who ran a solo practice. Ken was a proud Eagle Scout and collected much Boy Scout memorabilia. Ken served his adopted home town of Wethersfield as a Selectman and member of the Shade Tree Commission. He had been a long time member of the Republican Town Committee. He served on the Board of Directors of Wethersfield Chamber of Commerce and the Keane Foundation. He had been a member of the Wethersfield Men's Garden Club. Wethersfield UNICO made him an ""honorary dues paying member"" because he contributed so much to the organization. Despite extensive research he was unable to locate any Italian relatives by blood or marriage to qualify as a ""regular"" member. An early computer geek he ran a web site for a number of year, www.wethersfield.net, which he filled with commentary on community issues and activities. Ken was a talented and prolific photographer. He documented the lives of his children and all things Wethersfield in his photographs. He delighted in dropping in on folks and giving them copies of pictures he had taken of them. At a family wedding he disappeared during the reception. When he returned it was with 2 albums of wedding pictures that he had taken and gotten processed at one of the one hour photo shops. Several of his pictures appeared in the town calendars. He documented snow storms, the tornado, parades, the building of Mikey's Place and other projects and events too numerous to list. One of Barbara's comments about their trip to Germany in September of 2015 was she went with a camera that was attached to her husband. Sadly in the summer of 2016 it became apparent that Ken was beginning to display signs of the disease process that Nancy Regan characterized as the ""long goodbye""... from then until mid-November of 2017 Dr. Ken was ""employed"" at Barbara and Jonathan's law office. He spent his time shredding his files, running errands with Elene, watching re-runs of NCIS and Blue Bloods and napping. There was laughter and on occasion dancing. Ken had only attended formal day care for a few weeks when he was hospitalized with the rapid decline which lead to his death. A life long ""cat person"" the 3 current household cats, especially Woobie, gave him great joy and comfort. Ken's family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, February 9, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109. A funeral service will be held Grace Lutheran Church, 46 Woodland Street, Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday, February 10, 2018 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Kenneth E. Sokolowski Memorial Fund at Corpus Christi School, 581 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT. 06109 or the August and Helene Ruhe Scholarship Fund, Valparaiso University Advancement, 1100 Campus Drive South, Valparaiso, IN 46383. For condolences and directions please visit www.desopo.com.