Harold E. Segal

ROCHESTER—Harold (Hal) Segal, 84, died Monday, Dec. 29 at Gifford Medical Canter in Randolph, Following a courageous battle with cardio-pulmonary disease.

He was born March 29, 1924 in St. Cyr, Quebec, Canada, the son of Abraham and Golde (Cohen) Segal. He served in the Royal Canadian Army. He married Beatrice Fried of Bronx, New York in 1948, and became an American citizen several years later. His wife died in 1980.

He and his wife raised their children in Levittown, Long Island, where he was an avid fisherman and an automobile and fire equipment mechanic, a businessman and a salesman. They bought a farm in Rochester in 1968, where his son has raised his family.

He was a vice president and choir member of the Israel Community Center in Levittown, N.Y. and a Democratic committeeman. He served more than 15 years on the Levittown Fire Department.

Music was a central part of his life and for many years he led a jazz band. He was a familiar face at Sonny’s Place in Seaford, Long Island, one of the region’s foremost jazz clubs. He was a member of Local 802 Musician’s Union in New York and was known for being able to name almost any tune just from the first few notes.

In 1991 he moved to Jenkintown, Penna. to be near his friend, Sylvia Kellem, taking on an important role in her family.

Three years ago, he moved to Park House in Rochester, to be near his son and his daughter-in-law. His circle of friends expanded to include not just the other residents of Park House, but all the people he met walking through the park, attending town events, and visiting with all the children who stopped by when he sat on the porch in fine weather.

Survivors include a son, David Segal, and his wife, Judy Jensen, of Rochester; a daughter, Wendy Sweet, and her husband, Stephan Marsh, of Acton Mass.; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his long-time companion, Sylvia Kellem, and her daughters, Judy Kellem and Susan Rade.

He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters: Willie, Sam, Jean Mark, Rose Dreben, Fae Wiseman and Mary Dick.

Burial took place in a private cemetery on his son’s farm, and a funeral was held for him January 1 at the Rochester Federated Church, presided over by Jan Salzman and attended by almost 100 of his friends and relatives. The Women’s Alliance provided a reception afterward.

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