Elliott Halio

Elliott T. Halio, 86, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Frances Sokol Halio, entered into eternal rest Monday, June 20, 2016. His Funeral Service will be held Thursday, June 23, 2016 in J. HENRY STUHR, INC. DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, 232 Calhoun Street at 10:00 a.m. Interment, Emanu-El Cemetery.

Elliott T. Halio was born April 17, 1930 in New York City, the son of Anna and Samuel Halio. He was educated at the Pennington School in New Jersey where he excelled in academics and athletics. He received his B.A. at Syracuse University, graduating in 1952. He was then drafted into the Marine Corps. He was sent to Parris Island for basic training, and he remained there for his two years of service. It was during this time, on a weekend visit to Charleston, that he met his wife, Frances Sokol, to whom he was married for over 61 years. After their engagement, he enrolled at Duke Law School, where he received his law degree in 1957.

After law school, Elliott and Frances moved to Charleston, where they have lived ever since. Early in his career, Elliott was active in the Dock Street Theatre, taking leading roles in several productions including "Romeo and Juliet," "The Taming of the Shrew," and "Write Me a Murder." He was President of the Footlight Players from 1978-1980. He served on the City of Charleston Board of Adjustment from 1968-1969. He was a long-time member of Synagogue Emanu-El. He was also a long-time member of Snee Farm Country Club, where he enjoyed playing golf with his wife, his son, and especially his buddies.

Sports were a big part of Elliott's life. During high school, he participated in several sports. His favorite was basketball, and he became an avid Duke Basketball fan while attending Duke Law School. Coach K's 5th national basketball championship in 2015 provided him with a lot of enjoyment at a tough time. He was also a lifelong Dodgers Baseball fan which, unlike Duke Basketball, proved to be a source of much aggravation. He coached youth baseball and basketball at the Jewish Community Center and at St. Andrews Playground.

Elliott loved being a lawyer, and he enjoyed a long and distinguished legal career. When he arrived in Charleston in 1957, he started his law practice from scratch. In 1959, he founded the Charleston Young Lawyers Club as a means for young lawyers to get to know one another and to work their way into the local Bar Association. He served as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Charleston in 1963-1967 during the Civil Rights Era. He devoted a substantial amount of time to the Charleston County Bar Association and served as President during 1992-1993. Most of all, he loved the courtroom, and he established himself as a successful trial lawyer, eventually focusing on the defense of medical malpractice cases. He practiced with his son for more than 30 years, a law practice that continues today as Halio & Halio.

The family wishes to thank Elliott's medical team, led by Dr. William Carter and Dr. James Orcutt, and pinch hitter extraordinaire, Dr. Steven Bielsky. We would also like to thank all of the nurses and aides on the 7th floor at Roper Hospital and Roper Hospice for all of their care, kindness and compassion over the last few years. Keep up the good work.

Above all, Elliott loved his family, and he will be sorely missed by them. He is survived by his wife Frances, his son Andy, his daughter Sally, and his brother Jay (Diane Isaacs) of Newark, Delaware.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Synagogue Emanu-El, 5 Windsor Drive, Charleston, SC 29407 and/or Charleston County Bar Association, P.O. Box 21136, Charleston, SC 29413.