Howard J. Siegal

Howard J. Siegal, 56, of Bloomfield and Clinton, passed away peacefully at Hartford Hospital, with his beloved wife Lois by his side, on May 10, 2012 after a valiant and courageous battle with cancer. A life long native of West Hartford, he was the son of the late Ruth and Edward Siegal.A graduate of Hall High School and Bryant College, he became a principal in his family's Hartford based business, EDART Truck Leasing. He cherished his colleagues and customers as much as they loved him. Family and friends were the sunshine of Howard's life. He made each of them feel very special and loved because of his huge heart and generous ways. Whether it was entertaining at his treasured Clinton beach home while manning the grill, philosophizing, reviewing his latest favorite book or Broadway show. He loved laughing, sharing beautiful sunsets, and singing along with Michael Buble...he was the epitome of the "ultimate host." A life-long fan of the NY Yankees, he relished his annual trips to the stadium, especially last season when his cherished nieces Cari and Beth Siegal provided him with ˜Legend" seats, while he provided encyclopedic statistics of each and every player over the course of the game. Howard owned and often lent his renowned Yankee memorabilia collection to various sports charities. He was a major philanthropist and relentless community advocate, dedicated to a life of volunteerism and helping causes that supported less fortunate individuals. He has held many key leadership positions at The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, ranging from the National Cabinet to Young Leadership as well as his most recent position of Major Gifts Co-Chair. He has served as both a Board and Life Member of the Federation. He was a Wexner Fellow, a recipient of the Young Leadership Award and most recently was presented with the President's Award in Sept.2011. He served as President and a Patron of the Arts of the Mandell Jewish Community Center. He was a Board Member and Corporator of Hebrew Healthcare, and a board member of the Bushnell. He supported many organizations including the Hartford Stage, The Children's Medical Center, Jewish Family Services, The Jewish Association for Community Living and Broadway Cares and many others. He was a member of the Emanuel Synagogue and a former member of Tumble Brook Country Club. Howard was and will always be remembered as a true "mensch". The pathways Howard crossed in his all too short span of his life were filled with incredible kindness, diversity and a great sense of humor. He will be remembered with respect and affection by his family, colleagues, friends and the countless individuals he touched.

He is survived by his adoring wife Lois; his brothers Mark Siegal and his wife Ronna, and Barry Siegal with his wife Judy, and his sister Judie S.Levy and her husband, Coleman, all from West Hartford; sister-in-laws, Judy Schuchalter and Albert Gordon of the Berkshires, and Gilda and Marc Angel of New York City. Howard leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary care given by Drs. Jeffrey Nestler and Robert Siegel as well as the devoted nursing staff at Hartford Hospital coordinated by Patty Veronneau RN. The family would like to give special recognition to his devoted care givers Carla Wright and Anona Weaver.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 13th at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary of Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave., West Hartford with Rabbis James Rosen and David Small officiating, with interment following in the Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery in Wethersfield. The family will receive relatives and friends at Beth El Temple following the interment, then at the home of Mark and Ronna Siegal. Minyon will be at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Shiva will continue Monday and Tuesday starting at 2 p.m. each day with minyon at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Howard and Lois Siegal Endowment Fund of The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloomfield Ave. West Hartford. The Mandell Jewish Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Ave. West Hartford, or the charity of donor's choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to share memories of Howard with his family, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm