John L. Seigel

John L. Seigel

Somerville, NJ - John Larry Seigel, beloved father, grandfather, brother, teacher, artist and friend passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025 at the age of 84, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Somerville, NJ on December 6, 1940, John graduated from Trenton State College in 1962 with a degree in Natural Sciences. John was a beloved and well known school teacher, teaching 7th & 8th grade Biology at Somerville Middle School while residing and raising his children in Clinton, NJ. His classroom was filled with live animals, amphibians, reptiles and the like which he famously used for teaching aids bringing the natural world to life with wonder and clarity to generations of devoted students. The consummate educator, John continued to teach even after he left the Somerville school system in 1975, using his children, grandchildren and anyone else interested or within earshot for his 'science lesson per day' (John Nye the Science Guy). "Look Kids! It's British Soldier Moss or Cladonia cristatella! ….it's a lichen!" When John was 16, he won a Science Fair with a remote controlled robot that he built with cans, electronics and salvaged parts. "Moto" as he was known, was John's 'first child' with a ham can head and pink translucent golf-tee hair and fully functioning legs, arms and claw hands. Naturally, he didn't miss an opportunity to both entertain and terrify the local children who attended any of John's kid's birthday parties!

Characterized by a generous spirit and a great sense of humor, John was a man of many talents--equal parts Scientist, educator and artist. While in college, he developed a lifelong love for creating intricate and unique hand painted signs while learning from and working for a sign-man and friend Michael Sigler. His passion for creating signs that were works of art in their own right took over and he created Seigel Signs first in Somerville, NJ and later in 1980, moved it to West Hatfield, MA where he lived and loved for over thirty years with his wife Margaret "Micki" Seigel and their beloved Stephen Kennedy. John had his classic white Transit van with his face painted in blue across either side of the van in diagonal line art with a number 3 on the driver's side hood and a number 5 on the passenger side to give the illusion that he owned a fleet of vans. He was a gifted craftsman with a meticulous eye for detail; he graced western Massachusetts with his signs and artwork for more than 30 years proving to the locals his logo and catch phrase, SEIGEL SIGNS ARE BEAUTIFUL!

John loved all living things dearly, a passion he acquired early on while working at Somerville Pet Shop alongside his close friend, Walt Corson (who predeceased him). He taught his children, the love and companionship of all creatures from fur babies to snakes and everything in between (sorry Dad, we still aren't keen on bugs). His empathy for all creatures great and small extended to people as well. John and his late wife Micki were early and vocal advocates for gay rights, standing for dignity and equality with courage and compassion.

He is predeceased by his parents Helen and Maurice "Morris" Seigel; Micki, his cherished wife and friend in both life and principle, and by their beloved Stephen Kennedy.

John's legacy lives on through a large and loving family. He is survived by his son Mark and his son Ian (Seigel); his daughter Cheryl and her husband Bill and their children, David and his wife Kelsi; Zachary and his fiancée Gina and their son, great-grandson Luca; Jacob and his wife, Brenna (Fontaine); his daughter Deborah and her husband Jose (Seigel Ramos) and their collective children, John and his wife Trina and their daughters, great-granddaughters Cassie and Ana (Seigel); Dan and his daughter, great-granddaughter Jada (Mazur); Brendan and his wife Amanda along with their soon to be child, great-grandchild (Seigel); Daniel (Ramos); his stepson Eric and his wife Christine and their children Ryan and Dylan (Oliver); and stepdaughter Tracy (Oliver) and her children Delaney and Cassidy (Higgons). He is also survived by his sister Gail and her husband Raymond and their children, David and his wife Amie; Doug and his wife Heather and their children, Annabel, Gabriel and John (Walsh).

A celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday September 20 at Bruce C. Van Arsdale Funeral Home at 111 N. Gaston Avenue in Somerville, NJ from 1 PM until 4 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in John's name to local animal shelters or to the arts at: hunterdonartmuseum.org/support/donate/ John had his first art exhibit at the Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, NJ in the late 1960's making this a special place for donations in his memory.

John's life was defined by humility, artistry, principle, and love. He never sought recognition, but those who knew him will never forget the quiet brilliance he carried and the warmth he gave so freely. He will be deeply missed.