Warren G. Soare

Born on October 5, 1947 to Irving and Margaret Soare, he grew up in Hackensack, NJ. His father died when he was 5, and Warren was raised by his mother and older siblings (Robert and Carol). He worked hard in his studies at Newark Academy. At Camp Kiamesha, he grew his love of the outdoors, and he later earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

He attended Miami University of Ohio, then Princeton Theological Seminary where he found his calling to serve others, counseling young men on their options during the Vietnam War. He made higher education his platform for service for over four decades. He began in residence affairs at University of Rhode Island, where he met his future wife, Mary Ann, when they were both head residents.

Next he attended Teachers College at Columbia University, where he earned his Doctorate in Education. He advanced to Dean of Students at CW Post (Long Island University), broadened campus accessibility for students with special needs, and worked in admissions and recruitment at SUNY Old Westbury. But his most satisfying role was the Director of the SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge) Opportunity Programs at Queensborough and Brooklyn Colleges, where he expanded access to higher education for underserved populations, and provided guidance to students navigating academic and financial challenges.

Warren’s life was dedicated to helping others. He served as deacon, elder, and Clerk of Session at Roslyn Presbyterian Church, and is remembered for regularly driving his minivan filled with massive collections of canned goods and nonperishable food to the Long Island Council of Churches (LICC) Emergency Food Center. Throughout his life, Warren donated more than 25 gallons of his own blood to the New York Blood Center over hundreds of visits.

He loved being outside in nature, hiking, and birdwatching. Even on the highway, he would gaze upwards through the minivan windshield and identify turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks passing overhead. A self-proclaimed “van man”, he road-tripped around the country in his VW bus with his friends and future wife. As a dad, he loved to take his children canoeing, camping, and fishing on the Delaware River. He was also a captivating storyteller, inventing worlds of medieval realms (and dragons) and the old west (stagecoach drivers “Big Mike and Lefty”) at bedtime.

Warren leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Mary Ann, three children and their spouses (Julia and Jinsoo, Thomas and Carly, and Andrew and Jessica), six grandchildren (Jack, Amelia, Sky, River, Oliver, and Maya), two siblings (Robert and Carol) and extended family, and many friends, neighbors, colleagues, and students who appreciated his friendliness, patience, earnest helpfulness, attentive ear, and warm sense of humor. Kindness was his superpower.

We will gather to celebrate Warren’s life at Roslyn Presbyterian Church (140 E Broadway, Roslyn, NY 11576) on November 21, 2026 with a service from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a luncheon in the church hall from noon to 2 p.m. The service will be live-streamed. In lieu of flowers, Warren’s family asks you to consider donating to Roslyn Presbyterian Church (https://www.roslynpresbyterianchurch.com/), CurePSP (which supports research on progressive supranuclear palsy, https://www.psp.org/), or your local food pantry (or blood bank) in his memory.