Remembering Dr. Stanley Sakowitz
A TRIBUTE FROM THE FALL 2006 BETHLEHEM STAR
by Alice Drier
Everyone enjoys stories or movies about a person who rises from a difficult life to win the race, get the job, win the girl, bring the bad guy to justice, or in some fashion “beat the odds.” Dr. Stanley Sakowitz did just that.
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the only child in his family, Stan’s early years were difficult and sad. Usually talkative Stan became silent about memories of his childhood. His mother was chronically ill, both mentally and physically, and she was unable to bring a sense of normality and security to her little boy. Stan was often shuttled off to aunts and a grandmother. He does recall some pleasant times interacting with cousins on those visits. Stan’s father, the provider and Orthodox shul-goer, was busy making ends meet for his family with his job in a local hardware store.
FROM THE OBITUARY
Submitted by Nicole Sakowitz
Stanley Sakowitz died aged 87 on March 13 after a brief illness. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1935, he was the only child of Albert and Sophie. His parents were of modest means; Albert managed a hardware store and was a gifted artist.
The Sakowitzes belonged to an Orthodox synagogue (shul) where Stan studied Hebrew from about age 5. He had a traditional bar mitzvah at age 13, when his pubescent but lovely tenor first rang out loud and clear in their shul.
He went on to play leading roles in high school musicals and plays, and left home for New York at age 17 with $20 in his pocket to follow his dream of making a career in the theater. He worked backstage until his vocal talents were recognized and he began receiving minor parts in musicals. His career peaked when he joined the cast of The Unsinkable Molly Brown and became a favorite of its star Tammy Grimes. He toured with the musical for 1½ years, then decided his future lay elsewhere.
