Louis Anthony Ockey

A celebration of Life gathering will be conducted Sunday July 9, 2023 from 2 pm - 4 pm at Edo Miller & Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick GA. A Visitation at 12:00pm noon and a Mass of Remembrance is planned for Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oxford, PA on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 1 pm. A Mass will also be conducted at St Thomas More Catholic Church in Troy, MI on Saturday August 12, 2023 at 11 am.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, June 5, 1940, to the late Gabriel and Eva (Nahas) Ockey, he was a graduate of Brooklyn Preparatory School and held a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Fairfield University. At 66 years old, he received his Master’s in Education as a Woodrow Wilson scholar from Indiana University.

Lou started his career at General Electric and moved to the sales organization at IBM, eventually responsible for Latin American sales. He worked as the CFO at Avnet and as the US Branch Manager for Drake International. He later started his own software firm as an IBM Business Partner. After retirement, he started his BBQ catering business and entered the teaching arena.

Lou was devoted to his family. Growing up, he was very close to his two sisters, Mildred and Betty, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins in NY and MI. He prioritized his children and created many unique and memorable experiences for them and later, his grandchildren. He was a mentor to many children throughout his life.

Those who knew him considered him a life force for positive change and a lover of all things related to science, cooking, entertaining and serving others with flare and finesse. He had a lifelong passion for cross country running which started competitively at Brooklyn Prep and then Fairfield University, participating in the Penn Relays. He served his community as a Master Planner and captain of fire police. He sailed extensively and enjoyed travelling.

His unique talent and love of cooking was inherited from his mother and father. After receiving a smoker from his wife, Nora, he started Smokey O’s Catering, developing his own dry rub. He was a KCBS Master Judge and was involved in national BBQ contests. He won cooking contests, including the Philadelphia Italian Market Gravy contest. He taught Heart Healthy culinary classes for the American Heart Association, performed as guest chef at various events and catered for friends.

Lou had a gift for bringing strangers together and building a village wherever he went. He created meaningful bonds and memories with neighbors, co-workers, and the community at large. He poured espresso, shared bourbon and cigars, and communed with many.

He was a wise man of integrity, loved with his heart, spoke encouraging words, inspired others with his faith and built a legacy with his life.

He is survived by his loving wife, Nora, to whom he was married for 38 years, and four loving daughters: Karen Ockey Slossburg and husband Joel; Joan G. Ockey; Kristine Ockey Gregg; and Laura Ockey Kornacki and husband Greg; six grandchildren; Leah, Ella, Eva, John, Emily and Karen, a niece Theresa and nephew James and a wide host of extended family and friends far and wide.

He was predeceased by both sisters, Mildred Ockey and Beverly Gallo.

He will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to the Evan R Hansen Legacy Foundation www.erh32.org .

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com