Obituary of Leon Siegel

Leon "Sonny" Siegel left this world peacefully on Thursday morning, August 20, 2015 with family at his side at Catskill Regional Medical Center. The son of Solomon and Georgia Reinisch Siegel, Lee was born on August 24th, 1919 on the second floor of what is now "The Siegel Building" on Main Street in Livingston Manor. Lee graduated Class of 1938 from Livingston Manor Central School and then completed 3 years at the Ithaca College School of Music before being drafted in the Army where he served in the Army Band. He met the love of his life, Marjorie Brener at the USO club in Hendersonville, NC over a pool table and they married in March, 1945… a marriage that lasted over 63 years. They moved north to Livingston manor to live and operate Siegel's Department Store. Lee was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Sullivan County Golf and Country Club. He loved dancing with Marge and attending parties. Throughout his life, Lee championed youth and education programs by serving on the Livingston Manor School Board, Livingston Manor Rotary Club and Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation. He served on the Roscoe Nursing Home and the Shandelee Music Festival and performed with the Callicoon Center Town Band for close to 20 years. Lee was a consummate fundraiser helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Livingston Manor Rotary Club Youth Programs and other local organizations. Lee attended all 57 Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnivals contributing his expertise in ice rink making as well as photographing the feature skaters. Lee was also an active member of Congregation Agudas Achim's Board of Directors on which he served as president for over 30 years. Lee served 10 years as Supervisor for the Town of Rockland, and on the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors where he consistently promoted business development and projects for the betterment of the Town of Rockland and Sullivan County. Lee is survived by his children, Teri Siegel Banerjee of Framingham, MA, Shelley Siegel Watson and her spouse Joseph J. Watson of Kitty Hawk, NC and Gary Siegel and his spouse Judy Haas Siegel of Liberty, NY. Grandchildren, Shonali Banerjee Schattenberg, Monisha Banerjee, Georgia Faye Siegel, Maxwell Alexander Siegel and Jonell Brener Watson. Great Grandchildren, Ruby Schattenberg, Gavin Green, Brenner Schattenberg and Anjali Green. He was predeceased by his parents, Georgia and Solomon Siegel, wife, Marjorie Brener Siegel, and sisters, Annie Plotkin and Marion Flanel. Lee lived and loved life to its fullest. He was eternally optimistic, musical, fun-loving, community minded, the last one standing at a gathering, loyal to his friends and loving of his family, immediate and "extended". He was an amazing dad and mentor who taught his kids how to ski, skate, swim, golf, fish and appreciate living life to the fullest. Lee was a pillar of his community and will be sorely missed as a confidante and role model for the many people he has touched. He will be remembered by those who knew him for his good-nature, compassion and innate ability to make anyone who came in contact with him feel special and his many life-long achievements which will continue to act as his living legacy. Services will be held on Sunday August 23rd at 11 am at Congregation Agudas Achim in Livingston Manor. Rabbi Rebecca Shinder will officiate. The family will sit shiva from 3-8 PM on August 23rd at the residence of Gary & Judy Siegel, 3 California Avenue, Liberty, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lee's memory to: Rotary Club of Livingston Manor, 29 Main St, Livingston Manor, NY 12758, (845) 439-5430, Shandelee Music Festival, PO Box 1264 Livingston Manor, NY 12758, 845-439-3277 or Congregation Agudas Achim, PO Box 714, Livingston Manor, NY 12758 Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Bryant Funeral Home. For further information please call 845 439-4333 or visit our website at www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com.