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Roger B. Sovocool

1925 - 2020

Roger B. Sovocool obituary, 1925-2020, State College, NY

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Roger Sovocool Obituary

Roger B. Sovocool

Roger B. Sovocool of State College, PA and originally of Ithaca, NY, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2020 among family and loving staff at The Village at Penn State. Roger lived a long and very full life, marked by optimism, enthusiasm, hard work, and generosity.

Born December 12, 1925 in Ithaca, NY to Benjamin F. Sovocool and Gertrude Rust Sovocool, he is survived by his three children Jill L. Findeis (Peter) of State College, Peter F. Sovocool (Melissa) of Orinda, CA, and Daniel R. Sovocool (Tori) of Orinda, CA, as well as grandchildren Jennifer Findeis-Hosey (Daniel), Sarah Findeis, Ben Sovocool, Natalie Sovocool, Noah Sovocool and Paige Sovocool, and great grandchildren Emily and William. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his younger sister Ruth C. Kleinman, his loving wife of 55 years Doris Morgan Sovocool and their son Mark M. Sovocool. Roger and Doris were married on December 9, 1950 at Sage Chapel on the Cornell campus. After Doris passed away, Roger married Jean Wade Sovocool of The Village, who passed away several years ago.

Roger was a native Ithacan, being born and raised in the Fall Creek neighborhood which he considered his childhood home. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1943, earned an A.B. in Arts & Sciences (government) from Cornell University in 1947, and a J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1949. Roger was involved in Boy Scouts and, as an undergraduate student, he was active on the staff of the Cornell Daily Sun. After graduating from law school, Roger joined his father in law practice in Ithaca. Roger served as City Attorney for Ithaca and was elected to the office of District Attorney of Tompkins County. He served several terms as DA, after which he returned to private practice with lawyers George Pfann, Matthew McHugh and David Tyler in Ithaca. He enjoyed serving as Attorney for the Village of Cayuga Heights for many years. Roger was a long-time active member of Kiwanis and, for several years, taught Business Law at Cornell.

Roger loved his family, and made them his priority above all else. He made it possible for them to spend many summers at family gatherings at Lake Ridge on Cayuga Lake and at Devil Lake near Westport, Ontario Canada. He loved the outdoors, finding bullfrogs and turtles for youngsters to see, leading boating adventures for friends and family on Devil Lake, and hiking through the woods and along the shores of Cayuga Lake. One of Roger's favorite outdoor activities was improving the camps for generations to come, while avoiding hornets and other wasps which tended to find him. In the winter months, Roger was an avid fan of Cornell ice hockey and Penn State wrestling.

Roger and Doris were very active in the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, and in the Renwick Heights Neighborhood Association. In 2011-13, Roger served as President of the Resident's Council at The Village.

Roger B. Sovocool will be buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Ithaca, NY. This summer, his family will hold a celebration of his life on the shores of Cayuga Lake. Roger enjoyed studying the local history of Ithaca, Lansing, and Tompkins County, and the family suggests donations to The History Center in Tompkins County (formerly Dewitt Historical Society) in Ithaca, NY or to Habitat for Humanity, in lieu of flowers. Finally, Roger's family wants to thank his many dear friends at The Village and especially in the Personal Care Unit and Atrium for their wonderful friendship and loving care.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ithaca Journal from Mar. 25 to Mar. 26, 2020.

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5 Entries

March 31, 2020

Dear Sovocool family,
On behalf of the Ferris family, we send our condolences to all of you. Roger was good friend of our family, especially my father Spencer. We have a cottage in Canada because of the many summers we spent there on Devils' Lake in your family summer cottage.
Roger and Doris were lovely people. Roger had such a wonderful smile and sense of humor. Many good memories we have.
May he rest in peace,
Margie (Ferris) Morris and family

Stephan Lewis

March 29, 2020

My condolences to Roger's family. I had the privilege of meeting Roger 25 years ago when he hired me to take care of his lake property and I have been doing so ever since. Roger was always a truly generous and kind man. I will always remember how Roger loved exploring and taking care of his lake property. I remember taking journeys with him into the surrounding woodlands with his old mail jeep so he could scout out new projects and how at the end of every work day or conversation Roger would sign off by saying....very good. Truly a very good man and I am sure he will be missed by many.

Patricia Mims

March 26, 2020

Hello Jill,
We are so sorry to hear this news about your Dad; what a treasure to read such a wonderful obituary and biography about his life. You may remember us as neighbors who lived across the street from you and your family on King Street in Ithaca. We want you to know that we are thinking about you during this sad time.

Pattie Stillwell Mims and Carol Stillwell Lavenda

March 26, 2020

Condolences from the lattin family..

Barbara Stoner

March 25, 2020

Jill, Dan and Peter. You may remember I was Your dad And Grandpa Ben's secretary in the mid 60's. And again in the law office in the 80's. I always Enjoyed working with them and will continue to have fond memories . Remember the good times . Barbara Quick Stoner

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