Joseph "Joe" H. Sokol

Joseph H. Sokol was born in Charleston at Baker Hospital on March 22, 1932 – the son of Ida and Morris Sokol.

After graduating from the Citadel in 1953 (Summerall Guards), attending Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, and serving a stint in the Army, Mr. Sokol went to work for his father Morris, at the eponymously named furniture store at 510 King Street, assuming the role of president after his father's retirement. In 2015 at the age of 82, Mr. Sokol retired and closed the store after 95 years in business.

Mr. Sokol was a past president of Brith Shalom Beth Israel Synagogue and the Jewish Community Center. He was also a longtime member of the Hebrew Orphan Society and the Hebrew Benevolent Society, the oldest Jewish philanthropic organization in the United States. His community service and philanthropic pursuits are too numerous to recount.

Mr. Sokol played a major role in the revitalization of Upper King Street, and was an active member of the King Street Merchants Association. Mayor Riley proclaimed March 22, 2012 as "Joe Sokol Day." Mayor Tecklenburg declared the corner of King St. and Reid St. the "Sokol Family Block" in honor of Mr. Sokol on April 16, 2018.

Mr. Sokol is survived by Freida Sokol, his wife of 65 years whom he deeply loved; their four children, Ed Sokol, Eve Sokol, Freddie Sokol Schneider and Pauline Sokol Nakios (Thomas, who was like a son to Joe); his nine grandchildren, Ross Appel (Alexis), Ben Sokol, Michael Appel, Maxie Sokol Busey (Kyle), Lilla Ford (Jon), Rachel Appel, Sam Schneider, Theo Nakios, and Elliot Nakios; and one great-grandson, Cameron Ford. He is also survived by a sister, Sonia Greenberg and pre-deceased by a sister, Jean Sokol Rosner (Herbert).

He fought a short, courageous battle with cancer, with strength, dignity and faith, surrounded by his wife Freida, children, grandchildren and great-grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at the graveside in BSBI cemetery on Sycamore Avenue in West Ashley off of Highway 61.

Donations in his honor can be made to, Addlestone Hebrew Academy (1675 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd. Charleston, SC 29407), Brith Shalom Beth Israel Synagogue (182 Rutledge Ave., Charleston, SC 29403), or Chabad of Charleston and the Low Country (477 Mathis Ferry Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464).