Alex Shoag

HAMDEN - Alex Shoag, 91, of Hamden, formerly of Meriden, passed away at Yale New Haven Hospital on Monday February 23, 2015.
Alex was born in Vilna, Poland on March 8, 1923, the son of the late William and Rachel (Levine) Shoag.
His parents relocated to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1924 where they remained until emigrating to the United States in September 1928. Alex was educated in the Meriden school system, graduating from Meriden High School in 1941. Following his graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy where he served for two years as an interpreter for German prisoners of war at the Sampson Naval Base in the Finger Lakes region in New York. Following his discharge from the Navy in 1944, and a lover of animals, Alex began his college career at Middlesex Veterinary College, now Brandeis University, intending to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. He later elected to change his career path toward his passion for history entering Ohio State University, graduating in 1948 with a BA degree in history and political science.
After completing the Teachers' Emergency Program at Southern Connecticut Teachers' College, Alex began his career in 1950 as a teacher of history in the Moodus school system. He earned a Masters' Degrees in European history from UCONN, as well as a Masters' Degree in education and Sixth-Year in administration from the University of Hartford. In 1957, he served as the Director of Education at the Wethersfield State Prison helping to create a combined academic and vocational program for the prison population. Alex was hired by the East Hartford school system in 1959 as a middle school history teacher before transferring to George J. Penney High School where he remained through his retirement in June 1991.
He leaves behind a daughter, Deborah Shoag and her companion, Richard Backman of South Windsor and a granddaughter, Rayna Shoag-Backman (Joshua Ehrenfeld) of Manchester. He is also survived by two sisters, Phyllis Sochin (Herman) of Meriden and Barbara Gross of Wallingford, a very special nephew, Bennett Sochin (Patti) and their children Joshua and Rebecca of Seekonk, MA, niece Judy Sochin of Meriden, nephew Robert Gross (Deborah), niece Lesley LeClair (Steve) both of Wallingford and his long-time companion Joanne Fox, of Manchester.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 26 at 10:00 AM at the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 South Elm St. Wallingford, with Rabbi Bruce Alpert officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Those wishing to make contributions may do so to the Hamden Animal Control, 2900 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, CT 06518. To leave a message of remembrance or for directions, please visit www.BCBailey.com.

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