Donald Sokolski, 72, of El Cerrito, California, passed away at home on February 19, 2026 after a long illness. Born on May 19, 1953 in Paris, France, Don grew up in Redondo Beach, Los Angeles. He decided to go to Israel and met his wife-to-be, Elka, there. They traveled awhile and landed in Berkeley for many years. After attending USC to get his masters in PT, he moved to El Cerrito in 1984 and settled there with his wife, Elka. Don took a job as a Cardiac Clinical Specialist at Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco. He was asked to teach a course in Cardiac rehab at Merritt College and loved passing on his knowledge to the incoming students. He went on to teach classes at SF State and UCSF.

Don’s greatest joys were playing music, traveling with his beloved wife of 49 years, Elka Shockett, and his son, Joshua, who went with him to explore exotic locales, and cherishing moments with his grandson, Zev. He is lovingly remembered by Elka, Josh, his daughter-in-law Seren Moran, grandson Zev, his sister Beth Kautzky, brother-in-law Doug and nephews Jacob and Zachary, brothers Ken Sokolski and his wife Dede and children Eleasa and Aaron, and Bart Sokolski, and all his wonderful cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Renée and Edward Sokolski. Don’s warmth, kindness, and humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the SF Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund or the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

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