James Henry Sotzing, loving father, husband and longtime resident of Old Greenwich, passed away on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 with his loving wife, Marlene Gifford-Sotzing by his side. Jim was 66 years old.
Jim was born on April 26, 1952, in Bethlehem, PA (the second of four children) to Richard Henry and Fern Wunder Sotzing.
A 1970 graduate of Liberty High School, Bethlehem, PA, Jim went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 1974 from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. In 1976, Jim earned a Master’s Degree in Experimental Psychology, from DePaul University, Chicago, IL and then returned to Lehigh University – College of Business & Economics to earn his MBA in Marketing in 1978.
In 1991, Jim’s successful career in market research and development led him to opening his own business. Affordable Samples, Inc. developed a new approach to the sampling business and was a pioneer in internet market research. His national and international clients included Dun & Bradstreet Marketing Services, Dell, Stamford Health Medical Group, Hamilton College, and Keller Williams Realty to name a few.
Prior to his proprietorship, Jim held executive positions in Market Research & Product Development, Dun and Bradstreet, NY and Product Development, Survey Sampling International, Fairfield, CT.
Music was Jim’s passion and had a significant influence on his life. He taught himself guitar at a young age. A longtime member and past Senior Deacon of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich, Jim sang in the church choir. He was a member of the Greenwich Choral Society for 33 years and enjoyed lending his beautiful baritone voice to the Westchester Chordsmen Singing Barbershop for several years.
Those who knew Jim found him to be loving, kind, considerate, intelligent, and witty. Jim loved life and enjoyed biking, hiking, reading, gardening, and baseball. He loved to travel. His favorite time was spent with his wife, Marlene, on weekends away at their cabin in Vermont where they enjoyed skiing.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Henry Sotzing and Fern Wunder Sotzing of Bethlehem, PA.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife and partner for 17 years, Marlene Gifford-Sotzing of Old Greenwich; his loving children, Andrew Sotzing (Katherine Monjello) of San Francisco, CA; Ian Sotzing (fiance Yara Khakbaz) of San Francisco, CA; and Kristen Sotzing formerly of Washington, DC; his loving stepchildren, Kimberly Gifford Keaney (Matthew Keaney) of Holden, MA; Kent Gifford (Sara Macias Rivero) of Laverne, CA; his adoring grandchild, Luke Sotzing and step-grandchildren, Connor, Aidan, and Emma Keaney; caring brothers William H. Sotzing, John R. Sotzing (Linda) and sister Ann Sotzing Byer; many nieces, nephews and his extended family.
For more information or to place an online condolence visit Coxe&Graziano.com.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 22 at 11:00am at the First Congregational Church of Greenwich, 108 Sound Beach Ave in Old Greenwich. All friends and family are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations in Jim’s memory to the Defeat GBM Research Collaborative – A subsidiary of the National Brain Tumor Society. (http://defeatgbm.org/)