- Date Of Birth: January 20, 1928
- Date Of Death: January 29, 2022
- State: Florida
Emmanuel Somers, MD (January 20, 1928 – January 29, 2022), age 94, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2022.
Emmanuel, or “Manny” as his family and friends called him, was known for his commitment to his family, strong work ethic, eternal faith, curiosity, sense of humor, and infectious optimism.
Manny received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki and served in the Greek military forces. He emigrated from Greece to the United States to complete his medical residency and internship at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Manny settled in the midwest to take on the role of Pathologist at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and later started an independent general medical practice in Olympia Fields, Illinois. His career eventually led him to serve as Head of Pathology at Flushing Hospital and Medical Center and Clinical Professor of Pathology at New York Medical College.
Raised in a small village on the island of Crete, Manny grew up tending to his beloved olive trees, sparking a lifelong love of Cretan olive oil, which he adamantly believed was key to a long, healthy life. He dreamed of becoming either a priest or agricultural specialist, but he pivoted to medical school because he passed the medical school entrance exam but scored poorly on the agricultural test. Although he may have fallen into medicine unwittingly, he soon took up the mantle and developed a passion for it.
Manny entered the military as part of Greece’s compulsory military requirement, serving in Thessaloniki. There, he met his wife of 67 years, Katherine Kouromihalis. Katherine was swayed by his sharp military outfit, broad chest, and many charms, including the ability to peel an orange with a knife and fork, a skill he was taught in his training.
Manny described Katherine as the most beautiful girl in town and thought himself lucky to attract her attention. He cut a dashing figure with his pressed white uniform and a neatly groomed Clark Gable style mustache. They tied the knot in 1954 and moved to the United States in 1957, where he would complete his medical training.
Manny and Katherine first lived in Connecticut, and later moved to Chicago, Illinois, and to New York, before ultimately landing in Boca Raton. Upon arriving in the US, Manny trained to become a pathologist and embraced the American way of life. Following the call of his work, he took employment opportunities in multiple regions of the country, which helped him familiarize himself with the nation’s geography and culture.
Education was of tantamount importance in the Somers household— Manny had the opportunity to pursue the American Dream through his medical schooling, and he wanted all of his children to receive the best possible education. He worked long, grueling hours to pay his childrens’ tuition at the best schools in the country to ensure that no doors would ever be closed to them. Although he had achieved one version of the American Dream, he always hoped that his children would take it a step further, finding even greater success and fulfillment. His ten grandchildren and their pursuit of higher education brought him great joy and pride.
He spent his life studying medicine and the Greek Orthodox faith but was the epitome of a lifelong learner. Manny read three newspapers a day, studying American politics, history, and geography, all while keeping an eye on the current events in Greece and the accomplishments of Greeks in America. An avid Jeopardy watcher, Manny would often call his children and grandchildren to quiz them on Jeopardy answers, medical terms, the Bible, or Greek history. His dictionary was full of places where he marked a word for later and he kept a copy of the Merck Manual by his bedside table, available for consultation when he or a friend developed a new ailment.
As he grew older, Manny maintained a sharp mind, an active body, and a desire to engage with others. He often said that the three M’s are the secret to a long life: Move, Mingle and Manage. He took this advice to heart, as evidenced in his daily trips to the gym to exercise, then to the pool to enjoy the sun and chat with friends, all before an afternoon nap. His final years living in Florida were happy and peaceful. In particular, he loved living near the ocean, as it reminded him of his youth on the island of Crete.
Manny is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Katherine, his cherished children, Mike, Angela, Nick, Mary-Ann, and Lizzy, along with his sons and daughters-in-law Laurie Somers, Tom di Galoma, Barrie Somers, and Jeffrey Urdang, as well as his ten devoted grandchildren, Chris and Rebecca Somers; Jackie, Chessy, and Cricket di Galoma; Payton, Kiki, and Will Somers; and Ellie and Kitt Urdang.
Manny lived his 94 years to the fullest — taking every opportunity to learn, explore, and take care of those around him using both his medical background and his generous spirit.
