Alexander Michael "Sasha" Sud

SUD, ALEXANDER "SASHA" MICHAEL, loving and beloved husband, father, and friend, died on May 21, 2010 after bravely enduring his battle with multiple cancers.

He was a selfless father and husband always making his family his number one priority. Even in his last days of life, during his last moments of consciousness, his main concerns were his daughters and wife.

He was born on March 24, 1938 to the late Esther and Michael (Misha) Sud in Odessa, on the Black Sea in Russia. In 1943, a five-year-old Alex and his mother went into hiding during the German occupation in Odessa. He described sitting in a secret compartment in a closet, with his mother covering his mouth to keep him quiet. He could see and hear "the soldiers' boots." His mother was arrested and put in jail with other Jews, as well as serious criminals. She entrusted her beloved son to her sister who "let go of his hand" on purpose in a crowded market, for fear of her own family's safety. For the next year and half Alex lived on the streets of Odessa. He was taken care of by older homeless boys. Eventually his mother's friends, an Orthodox couple, recognized his blond curls and blue eyes under numerous layers of dirt. They took him in until he was reunited with his mother, who escaped from prison in 1944.

In 1960, he received an engineering degree from The Institute of Technology in Russia. In August of 1978, after a 7-month journey through Europe, which included a 4-month stay in Italy, Alex immigrated with his wife, daughters, mother and mother-in-law to Louisville.

Once in America, Alex pursued many of his interests. For many years he worked as a stain glass artist. He also made engravings on marble and wood. Even though Alex was extremely artistic and creative, he was an entrepreneur by heart; he was always passionate about his pursuits and threw himself into his work whole heartedly. He started many companies. His keen sense of creativity enabled him to design and distribute various products over the course of many years. Several years ago he founded Memi Tech, a company aiding people with keeping their health care history organized on wallet-sized USB cards. Memi Tech was recently featured on national television for developing one of the top ten products to help save lives. He was the president of the company until he passed away.

Alex was an avid toy collector (he particularly enjoyed antique, metal wind-up toys) and was a huge fan of Mickey Mouse. He had an amazing sense of humor; overwhelming kindness and love for life that made people gravitate towards him. He was always "the life of the party," right up until the end, even in his hospital bed. He was also a talented musician in his youth. Singing and music were always a passion of his. Alex also loved writing; several years ago he wrote a screenplay called "Russian Blues." He was a truly humble and unique man that will be missed and loved by many who will forever remember his spirit, devotion, support, and abundant love of life.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Anna David Sud; two daughters, Marina Alexander Sud of Cornwall, NY and Natasha Alexander Sud of Louisville; a sister-in-law, Esther Karporvich; a nephew, Slava Gomonuck, his wife Yelena Medvedovskaya, their son Mark; and many, many friends in Louisville and all over many states.

"To our dearest Papa...Sasha...Alex: ' You will always be with us... you are our heart.'" His funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 24, 2010 at Herman Meyer & Son, 1338 Ellison Avenue, followed by burial in Anshei Sfard Cemetery. Friends and family may visit at the funeral home beginning at 10 a.m. Monday.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Michael Quinlan Brain Tumor Foundation.