Katakozinos, Sophie (nee Skunakis), age 78, passed away on December 20, 2015.

Sophie was born and raised on her parents' farm on Staten Island, NY, and wouldn't have had it any other way. When she received a scholarship to attend Wagner College, her traditional Greek family wasn't that keen on a woman going to college but that didn't stop Sophie. Her dreams of being a career woman came to an end when she married George Katakozinos in June of 1959 and moved to Hawthorne, NJ, where her first child, Bill, was born nine months later. A year after that her daughter Tia was born and Sophie, the farm girl turned collegiate turned wife and mother, raised her children to "be smart", "be bold", "make logical decisions" and "never argue over politics or religion" (though she herself often broke this rule). Sophie wasn't your usual suburban housewife. She didn't care for fashion or makeup but was passionate about tennis, interesting foreign cars and the cinema. Bill and Tia's friends and cousins knew her as the "cool mom"—that one house where kids would congregate.

After her kids were grown, Sophie moved to an Icelandic horse farm in Washingtonville, N.Y. and returned to work as a paralegal and personal assistant.

Anyone who ever met Sophie immediately recognized her curiosity and intelligence. She was articulate, outspoken and expressive and lived her life on her own terms. Those who knew her well understand why her family called her "Sergeant Sophie".

She will be missed by her son, Bill Katakozinos and his wife Lora of Charlotte, NC; daughter Tia Katakozinos of Washingtonville, NY; grandson Aric Longo of Washingtonville, NY, granddaughter Corielle Katakozinos of Charlotte, NC; grandsons Jesse and Jake Katakozinos of Charlotte, NC; her longtime companion, Sara Conklin of New York City and Washingtonville, NY; and ex-husband George Katakozinos of Washingtonville, NY. She was predeceased by her sister Stella Routsis (2008) and brother Costas "Gus" Skunakis (2008).

As Sophie was a lover of animals, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Blooming Grove, Blooming Grove, NY, or the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Viewing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 23, at 10:00 AM, with funeral to follow at 11:00 AM at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 818 Valley Road, Clifton, NJ. Entombment, Calvary Cemetery, Paterson.


Arrangements are under the direction of the Shook Funeral Home, Clifton.