Alphonse Theodore Sokolowski, 89, died Friday April 1, 2016 at the Meriden Center with his family by his side.  He was the husband of Christina Elaine (Corish) Sokolowski, his beloved wife of 50 years and the beloved father of Mary Valeria Sokolowski.

Born April 6, 1926 he was the son of the late Walter and Valeria Ulatowski Sokolowski. A life-long resident of Meriden Al attended St. Stanislaus School, graduated from Meriden High School class of 1945 and from Wilcox Technical School. He proudly served in the United States Army during WWII and was a member of the American Legion Meriden Post 45. Al was a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and served there as an usher for many years.  He was employed by the New Departure Hyatt Division of General Motors, retiring from the Bristol factory after 45 years of service.

A kind and gentle man Al enjoyed sports especially basketball, bowling, softball and golf, all of which he played well. He was a longtime secretary of the New Departure Bowling League. He also served on Meriden Parks and Recreation Commission. Al was a dedicated gardener and also kept his own small orchard of fruit trees.

Besides his wife Christina and his daughter Mary Sokolowski, Al is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Chester Sokolowski and his sister Henrietta (Sokolowski) Occhi.

The family expresses their extreme thanks and gratitude to everyone at the Meriden Center for their loving and thoughtful care of Al.

His funeral will be held on Friday April 8th at 9:15 a.m. from the Smith-Ruzzo Funeral Home, 450 Broad Street. Meriden when the funeral cortege will proceed to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday evening April 7th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Smith-Ruzzo Funeral Home. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.smithruzzofuneralhome.com .

Donations in memory of Alphonse Sokolowski may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 109 Goodwill Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451 or to The Meriden Humane Society, 311 Murdock Avenue, Meriden, CT 06450.