Obituaries

Arnold S. Sacks

 

Arnold S. Sacks died peacefully at 7:24 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in Sarasota, Fla., his loving family by his side. He was 87 years old. 

Arnold, a longtime resident of Mattituck, Long Island, N.Y., was born June 14, 1925, in Westhampton Beach, N.Y., to Julius and Mae Sacks. As a young boy, he started working at his family’s business, H. Sacks and Sons Produce in East Quogue, N.Y., and ascended to the title of president. 

Arnie, as he was known to his friends and family, was always quick with a joke or some good-natured ribbing. His humor and wit were enjoyed by everyone lucky enough to have met him. In his later years, Arnie and his wife, Pat, most enjoyed spending quality time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

He was also an avid poker player. In 2006, at the age of 81, he won first place in a professional tournament as an amateur, beating out many of today’s top pros. 

Arnie was accepted into college but, out of pride for his country, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 at the age of 17. As a radioman first class, he served on the USS Nashville, surviving a kamikaze attack on Dec. 13, 1944, that took the lives of 133 of his fellow sailors and wounded countless others. After the USS Nashville steamed back to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for heavy repairs, he continued calling in air strikes from the beaches under the command of eight additional ships.

Arnold S. Sacks was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946 as a decorated veteran, having earned a Purple Heart, a Philippine Liberation Medal – 2 Stars, an Asiatic Pacific Medal – 3 Stars, a European Theatre Medal, an American Theater Medal, a Victory Medal and a Unit Commendation. 

Arnie was predeceased by his brother, Bobby. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Pat; his sister, Dorothy Gordon; his children, Harry Sacks, Debbie Dolan and husband, Craig, and Greg Sacks and wife, Vicky; grandchildren, Nicole Sacks, Kristen Sacks, Kate Fohrkolb and husband, Dave, Carolynne Harvey, Brian Sacks, Paul Sacks and wife, Laura, and Rachel Sacks; and seven great-grandchildren. 

A graveside service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery on Monday, March 4, at 1:30 p.m.

This is a paid notice.