72 | OCTOBER 12 • 2023 J
N

F

or the esteemed Judge 
Edward Sosnick, 
“Honorable” was more 
than a professional title; it 
applied to every aspect of his life. 
His generous spirit and genuine 
desire to help others made him 
a beloved jurist and a cherished 
husband, father, “Poppy,
” friend 
and community leader. Judge 
Sosnick, who lived in Bloomfield 
Hills, died on Sept. 22, 2023, at 
the age of 82. 
Ed Sosnick was known as a 
fair yet compassionate judge, 
especially when it came to chil-
dren and families. During his 
25 years on the bench of the 
Oakland County 6th Circuit 
Court, he worked tirelessly to 
help those who appeared before 
him make positive changes to 
improve their lives. 
“Ed viewed being a judge as an 
opportunity to help people,
” said 
Rabbi Harold Loss of Temple 
Israel, who officiated the funeral 
service. “He cared enough to 
give people a second chance.
”
The son of Harry and Ruth 
Sosnick, Ed grew up in Palmer 
Woods in Detroit with his 
three siblings, who shared close 
relationships that continued 
throughout their lives.
“He was the very kindest 
brother, the best brother in the 
world … he lit up all of our 
lives,
” said his sister, Sharon 
Alperovitz.
As a teen, Ed began spend-
ing summers at Camp Seagull, 
a place he credits for the birth 
of his imagination. After grad-
uating from Mumford High 
School, he attended University 
of Michigan, then Wayne State 
University, where he received his 
undergraduate and law degrees. 
Following a stint in pri-
vate practice and more than a 
decade in the Oakland County 
Prosecutor’s Office, he was elect-
ed to the 48th District Court in 

1985. Four years later, he won 
a seat on the Oakland County 
Circuit Court, where he served 
as chief judge for two terms.
His role as presiding judge 
of the county’s juvenile drug 
treatment court was one of the 
most rewarding expe-
riences of his career. 
His genuine concern 
for the young people 
he supervised earned 
their affection and 
respect and enabled 
him to help many of 
them recover from 
addiction and trans-
form their lives.
Ed was especially 
proud of SMILE (Start 
Making it Livable for Everyone), 
the mandatory parent educa-
tion program he created with 
attorney and longtime friend 
Richard Victor. Designed to help 
divorcing parents work together 
in their children’s best interests, 
SMILE is now used throughout 
the country.
“Ed cared so much for his 
family, friends and communi-
ty,
” said Victor. “
As a judge, I 
watched him defuse hotly con-
tested arguments using humor 
and compassion. He was a 
remarkable person.
”
With numerous professional 
responsibilities, community 
leadership roles and a large cadre 
of friends and family members, 
marriage was not a priority for 
the busy judge. His priorities 
changed when he met Darlene, 
who was a guest at a wedding he 
officiated. At the age of 53, Ed 
became a husband for the first 
time and an enthusiastic step-
father to Darlene’s two teenage 
daughters. 
The couple, who would have 
celebrated their 30th anniver-
sary this month, created a large 
extended family that quickly 
became the center of Ed’s life. He 

embraced Darlene’s daughters as 
his own, and their adoration was 
mutual. 
“He had enthusiasm for any 
activity, big or small, and when 
there was no activity, he would 
create one, a circus or magic 
show or family football 
game,
” said daughter 
Karen Rodett.
Eventually, he 
became a proud 
“Poppy” and developed 
close relationships 
with each grandchild, 
attending their school 
and sporting events and 
offering unconditional 
love and support. 
“He made everyone 
feel loved and cherished … he 
left no stone unturned to make 
my dreams a reality,
” said grand-
daughter Estee, remembering the 
personalized plaques he crafted 
for every soccer game, regardless 
of how her team performed.
He was involved in several 
community organizations and 
causes dear to his heart. After 
retiring from the Oakland 
County Circuit Court bench in 
2013, he became president of 
The RESTORE Foundation, a 
nonprofit that helps fund vari-
ous drug and alcohol treatment 
programs for young adults. 
He served on the Michigan 
Domestic Violence Prevention 
and Treatment Board and was 
a founding member of the 
Oakland County Coordinating 
Council Against Domestic 
Violence. He helped conceive 
and launch HAVEN, a shelter, 
support and advocacy program 
for victims of domestic violence 
and sexual assault.
His accomplishments on 
and off the bench garnered 
numerous awards and accolades, 
including the “Champion of 
Justice Award” from the State 
Bar of Michigan, the National 

Crime Victims’ Rights Award 
and the Heart of HAVEN award 
for his early role and continued 
support.
While he continually added 
new people to his circle, he 
treasured the friendships he 
maintained over decades. He and 
Bob Rosman, who met as fifth 
graders at Hampton Elementary, 
spoke every day.
“Ed was a man for all seasons, 
one of a kind,
” said Rosman. 
“When we talked, he was always 
upbeat.
”
Judge Edward Sosnick is 
survived by his beloved wife, 
Darlene; cherished children, 
Karen (Ryan) Rosett and 
Meredith (Alan) Block; ador-
ing grandchildren, Jane, Estee, 
and Abe Rosett and Joey Block; 
loving siblings, Phyllis (the late 
Stan) Satovsky, Sharon (Gar) 
Alperovitz and the late Robert 
Sosnick; sister-in-law, SuSu 
Sosnick; brothers-in-law, Dennis 
(Lori) Becker and Ken Becker; 
nieces and nephews, Karen 
(Jeffrey) Schoenberg, Tony 
Sosnick, Cathy (Dr. Charles) 
Schwartz, Dana (Eric) Coffman, 
Mark (Jill) Baskin, Carrie (Jamie 
Harms) Alperovitz, David 
(Joanna) Alperovitz, Kate (Nick 
Wishin) Becker and Samantha 
(Steve) Yester. 
He was the devoted son of the 
late Harry and Ruth Sosnick and 
the dear son-in-law of the late 
Julius and Sally Becker.
Interment was at Clover 
Hill Park Cemetery. 
Contributions in memory of 
Hon. Edward Sosnick may 
be made to Oakland County 
Bar Foundation, Edward 
Sosnick Memorial Fund, 1760 
S. Telegraph Road, Suite 100, 
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, 
(248) 334-3400, https://www.
ocba.org/?pg=ocbf or a charity 
of one’s choice. Arrangements by 
Ira Kaufman Chapel. 

Honorable in Every Aspect of Life

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Judge Edward Sosnick

