Henry "Hank" F. Sobota, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.  Hank was born and raised in Fulton, N.Y., to hard-working parents steeped in their respective Polish and Italian heritages.  He and his twin brother Edward (often known as "Eddie") grew up playing baseball, riding bikes, and lobbing crabapples at unsuspecting cars while the brothers hid in their tree-laden yard, while also delving into ham radio operations, reading encyclopedias, and vying with each other for intellectual bragging rights.  (Hank, who was the first born, always asserted that he was the smarter of the two.)  Legend has it that there may have been some underage beer testing involved, but a blessing of living in a pre-digital age is that no evidence exists to potentially support this rumor.

Graduating near the top of his class at Fulton, where he wrestled and ran cross country (partly as a way to get out of marching band), Hank went on to graduate from the ILR School at Cornell University.

In these early years, he met and fell in love with Theresa Gallagher, also of Fulton, and they married and loved and supported each other as he attended and graduated from Albany Law School.  They also welcomed their two daughters, Elizabeth ("Bess") and Susan ("Susie"), and provided a home where the girls were loved, provided with deep and abiding roots, and encouraged to grow their wings.

Hank began his professional career as a Deputy Counsel for the New York State School Boards Association in Albany, driving countless miles throughout the state to support school personnel in providing students with a quality and caring education.

He and Theresa returned to the Syracuse area while their daughters were growing up, where Hank entered private practice and eventually became a founding partner of the firm that is now Ferrara Fiorenza.  He worked there for many years, contributing to the firm's growth, success, and stellar reputation.  Although not one to put himself in the spotlight, he was justly proud of his work and enjoyed its challenges and the camaraderie of his professional colleagues at the firm and beyond.

In recent years, although retired from full-time practice, he had served as Senior Counsel at Ferrara Fiorenza, using his vast experience and intelligence to provide "on the mark" advice and insight to his colleagues.

In a tribute by the firm, Hank's colleagues noted that he was "dedicated to the thoughtful and passionate representation of school law clients.  Hank's sharp legal acumen, unique style, and relentless pursuit of the interests of public-school districts helped shape this body of law. Hank approached his practice with a truly unique passion, keen insight, and intelligence.  Hank's legal practice was in full harmony with his core values.  Dedicated to his family, Hank lived his life and practiced law with grace and integrity."

Hank's deep commitment to both family and his professional life were also apparent when his wife became ill and succumbed to cancer in 2006, his bond to his daughters deepening as they became a family of three.

Hank later met and married Virginia ("Ginny") Hammond Sobota, drawn together by their mutual love of learning and humor.  Hank then became a second father to Ginny's three children and eventually partners and grandchildren, as well as an assortment of pets, a role to which he brought his typical humor and patience.

Later joining the family was the couple's adored puppy Mookie, whom daughters Bess and Susie referred to as their "doggy sister" and their father's "favorite daughter."  Doting on Mookie was a great joy to Hank, and when she passed away all too soon, he and Ginny were able to bring some healing to their hearts when they adopted a new puppy this past May.

Hank also had many adventures as he and Ginny celebrated the wonderful second chance that fate had given them.  Together they swam with sea lions in the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador, ziplined in the cloud forest of Costa Rica, admired the 1950s era cars in Cuba, surveyed the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, stood on the equator, and walked the cobbled streets of Toledo, Spain.

Although not an outdoorsman, he had also come to love Ginny's family home in the Adirondacks.  Particularly in the last few years, he had more and more become the person who would suggest "going out for a paddle" in one of the family's canoes, or to take a walk in the peacefulness of the woods.

Since retirement, Hank had also been actively exploring his roots, fascinated particularly by the intricacies of the Polish side of his family tree, and had enjoyed talking about a trip to learn more about this history in person when the grip of the pandemic loosened and made travel less problematic.

Another facet of Hank was his love of sports.  He was a devoted fan of the Syracuse Orange, especially men's basketball, football, and lacrosse.  He also loyally supported New York Giants football and the New York Yankees, which required him to process a brief bout of angst when a Boston Red Sox fan married into the family.

Finally, it is not possible to talk about Hank without discussing his consuming fascination with technology and his passion for golf.  He was constantly learning about whatever was new in computer and car technology, in particular.  His interest was in large part personal, but he also loved to explain things to others, sometimes in excruciating detail, and was as excited as a little kid when he could help someone fix or understand a problem that he then would refer to as "restoring his geek cred."  It was sometimes a challenge to disconnect him from his computer, but at the same time it was hard not to be in awe of the vastness of his self-taught expertise, and how this area so appealed to his innate intelligence and curiosity.

Golf drew him in, perhaps in equal parts, because of the chance to be active and for the precision and steadiness that it demanded.  His favorite golfing partner over the years was his buddy and colleague Ben Ferrara, but he also had some wonderful times just this past summer when he became active in a league after reconnecting with high school friends at his 50 ^th class reunion.

A final piece of the puzzle that must be mentioned is the special joy that he experienced with the birth of his grandson Oliver in late September of 2020.  He absolutely melted Hank's heart, and the times that they spent together, as well as frequent Facetime calls, made Hank beam with pride and happiness.  It is such a blessing that he was able to be part of Oliver's life, even for such a short time, and there is no doubt that Oliver will hear stories about "Grandpa Hank" that will become part of him as he grows up.

Hank is deeply loved, and will be sorely missed by those who were fortunate enough to know him, but will be forever in our hearts and our stories.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Maurer Funeral Home Moyers Corners, 3541 State Route 31, Baldwinsville, NY 13027, with a ceremony of remembrance beginning at 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or another deserving charity.

Please sign the funeral home on-line guest book for Hank to express your thoughts and memories to his family.