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Energetic At 90
Life has taught retired schoolteacher to feel very fortunate.
Sue Pearl
Special to the Jewish News
I
t doesn't seem possible that my
cousin Sam Soskin will be celebrat-
ing his 90th birthday next month. He
remains the same energetic, upbeat guy
that I have known all my life.
He still reads the newspaper every
day. He can still dance the two-step just
as well as the next guy, and he will for-
ever love listening to old band music and
Broadway show tunes.
Sam was born Oct. 11, 1922, in Detroit,
the eldest, with two sisters. Although he
grew up in the Great Depression, he has
very fond memories from his childhood.
"It was just about the happiest time of my
life:'
His best memories were made at
Thirkell Elementary School, where he
can still remember most of his teachers'
names.
A few years after high school in 1943,
Sam was drafted into the Army where
he served in the European Theater of
Operations, traveling to Britain, France,
Belgium, Holland and Germany.
After being discharged from the Army,
he attended Wayne State University where
he received his teaching degree in 1952
and a master's degree several years later.
He started out as a substitute teacher
and then landed a full-time position as an
Sam Soskin
elementary schoolteacher. Sam was well
liked by his pupils and even after retiring,
it wasn't unusual for him to be out some-
where and have a former student come
rushing over and enthusiastically greet
him.
In 1955, he met his future wife, Shirley.
"I went with a bunch of guys to Sylvan
Lake and I looked over and saw Shirley. I
said to my friend, 'Who is that?' My friend
got her number for me and we were mar-
ried four months later."
Sam and Shirley raised their two chil-
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dren, Ruth and David, in Detroit. They
later moved to Southfield in 1964 where
they remained until their children grew
up.
Sam was a devoted provider for his fam-
ily. Besides teaching full time, he main-
tained a part-time job, too. He worked as
a real estate agent for 13 years and then
worked at the Detroit Public Library for
more than nine years.
In 1983, he retired earlier than expected
so that he could take care of Shirley, who
had been diagnosed with cancer. After
having surgery, Shirley was in remission
for a while. "We went on a wonderful trip
to Israel and Egypt, seeing the Sphinx
and the Great Pyramids," said Sam, who
sadly lost Shirley to cancer in 1986.
Sam never thought he would meet
someone else to share his life, but he was
destined to meet his now lifetime com-
panion, Anne. "I met Anne at a singles
dance," said Sam, who has been with
Anne for 25 years. "Anne walked over to
the table where I was sitting with three
other guys and asked, 'Who wants to
dance?' I stood up to dance, and we have
been together ever since."
Sam and Anne never felt the need to
marry, he says, although they have an
understanding that they will always be
together. "Anne's two children and my
children are very happy for us," he said.
"Both of our families get along wonder-
fully."
Anne and Sam moved to Boca Raton,
Fla., in 2005. They return to Michigan for
a couple months every summer to visit
with family and friends.
Sam has always enjoyed an active social
life. In his college days, he joined a Jewish
fraternity at Wayne State University and
has remained close friends with many
of its members. Sam also played golf for
30 years and was a member of the Beth
Shalom golf league.
"I have had a very fortunate life." ❑
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