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Obituary: Alex ‘Sasha’ Stolley

Alexander “Sasha” Stolley, 87, died peacefully on January 14 at his home in Sarasota surrounded by his loved ones. His generous loving spirit will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Born May 12, 1922 in Germany of parents who fled the Russian Revolution in 1918, Sasha grew up in Cincinnati, attending University School and the University of Cincinnati, where he received a degree in engineering.

Sasha and Patricia Martin of Cincinnati were wed in 1942. He then served in World War II in Europe from 1943 to 1946 as a first lieutenant in the United States Army where he became involved in public relations and journalism, which led to his career in advertising.

After the war he went to work for an advertising agency in Cincinnati, which eventually became Northlich Stolley. In 1973 Sasha and Elizabeth “Bette” Scott Vogt were married and spent many happy years together.

When not working, they spent time traveling the world and at their summer home in Interlochen Mich. After retiring, Sasha and Bette bought a sailboat on which they lived and sailed for several years before moving to Boca Grande in 1985. There Sasha followed two of his great loves – golf and singing bass in barbershop quartets and choruses.

They moved from Boca Grande to Sarasota in 2005.

Sasha was actively involved in and supported many civic, social, business and arts organizations, such as the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and many others. He loved spending time with his family, music, art, photography, politics, and flying, as well as playing tennis, squash, and golf.

Sasha was predeceased by first wife Patricia Martin Stolley, sister Janet Stolarevsky, father Mihail Stolarevsky, and mother Tatiana Stolarevsky.

He leaves his wife Bette and his father’s wife Kathryn Fell Stolarevsky.  He also leaves his five children, Christopher Stolley, Laura Stolley Smith and husband Timothy Smith, Peter Stolley and wife Christine Holtz, Annabel Stolley, and Megan Berry.

In addition, he leaves Bette’s four children, Fredrick Vogt and wife Patricia, Robert Vogt and wife Sherry, Elizabeth Vogt and partner Candy McCullough, and Max Vogt. Sasha leaves six grandchildren, Eric Johnson, Cpt. Oliver Stolley, Tassaday Smith, Colleen Stevens, Emily Hetzer, and Amelia Guigou. He also leaves five great-grandchildren.

The family is planning a celebration of Sasha’s life this summer in Northern Michigan. If desired, memorial gifts may be made in Sasha’s memory to Tidewell Hospice, 1751 Mound Street, Sarasota FL 34236.