Published: 5/4/04

August Julian Sofinski and wife June Marilyn Walrath Sofinski

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — August Julian Sofinski, born March 11, 1923, in Auburn, N.Y., and his wife June Marilyn Walrath Sofinski, born June 11, 1927, in Cicero, N.Y., departed from this life on April 27 and April 25, 2004, respectively, from unrelated illnesses while visiting family in Texas.

Married on April 22, 1951, he was a farmer and precision tool and die maker. For a time he ran a wood shop in Auburn, N.Y. She was a devoted wife and mother of eight children.

August and June met at the Reva Rollerdrome in Auburn, N.Y., after World War II. Receiving his GED during the 1960’s, he was a World War II Navy veteran. He was a welder and a deep sea diver serving in the Pacific Theatre, primarily in the Philippines aboard the submarine tender Anthedon. She was a 1945 graduate of Cato-Meridian High School. For a time she attended Ithaca College as a music major. Her primary instrument was the french horn. Music continued to play a major part throughout her life as she was active in various choirs and Sunday schools. She enjoyed playing organ and piano her entire life even playing piano for the residents of the nursing home she resided in prior to passing away.

Upon eloping to Guilderland, N.Y., on Easter Sunday 1951, the couple first settled in Cato, N.Y., before spending 25 years at 17 Canoga Street in Auburn, N.Y. In 1979, the Sofinskis moved to Zephyrhills, Fla., where they lived another 25 years.

Mr. Sofinski was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed playing cards and chess. He also enjoyed learning and telling about history. Upon the high school graduation of her last child, Mrs. Sofinski returned to college and earned Associate in Applied Science in Cosmetology from Pasco-Hernando Community College in Florida. Education was important to both as is evidenced by all eight of their children completing four year degrees. Graduate degrees earned by their children include study in the following fields Industrial Arts, Orthodontia, Dentistry, Computer Science, Ophthalmology, Chemistry, Law and Linguistics.

Mom and Dad are survived by their eight children; and eight grandchildren; son, Edward Dale Sofin of Texas; daughter, Ann June Larsen of San Antonio, Texas, her husband Todd, and daughters Kate and Kira; son, Patrick August Sofin of Colorado, his wife Sara and daughter Morgan; daughter, Sandra Jean Sofinski of California; son, John Brian Sofinski of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; son, Stephen Roy Sofinski of Charlottesville, Va.; son, Bruce Alan Sofinski of Richmond, Va., his wife Elaine and children Jacob, Eliza and Nicholas; and daughter, Christine Lyn Anderson of Zephyrhills, Fla., and children Carynn and Matthew. They are also survived by Mary Ann Sofinski, wife of August’s brother Walter, of Camillus, N.Y.

A viewing and family gathering was held in Texas on April 28, 2004. Their ashes will be laid to rest at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 4, 2004, at Quantico National Cemetery about 30 minutes south of Washington, DC

Sympathies and remembrances can be made via email to John Sofinski at jbstorms@westelcom.com.

ELIZABETH A. JEFFERSON, 91, of the Alice Nursing Home, Malone, N.Y., died Sunday, May 2, 2004, at that facility.

She was born June 24, 1912, in Malone, N.Y., the daughter of John and Phoebe Brown Lepine.

There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Burial will take place in Notre Dame Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are through St. Mary-Murphy Funeral Home, Inc.

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