Bernard (Ben) Seigel, age 92, of Fairfield, died on Wednesday, November 9, 2005, surrounded by his loved ones. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 54 years, Mildred Skydel Seigel; his parents, Samuel and Sadie (Bronfman) Seigel; his brothers, Morris and Joseph Seigel; and his sisters, Ida Seigel and Rose August. He is survived by his devoted daughters and sons-in-law, Sheila and Burton Yaffie and Marcie Seigel and Mike Rodericks, all of Trumbull; his loving grandchildren, Jessica and Ted Leveroni of Cambridge, Mass. and Alison Yaffie and David Cautin of Washington, DC; his precious great-granddaughter, Nina Skydel Leveroni; his dear sisters, Sarah Popkin of Manchester and Molly Shenkman-Damio of Stratford; and his adoring friend and companion, B (Bernice) Paris of North Miami Beach, Fla. Ben was a past president of Skydel's Department Store in Bridgeport. In 1995, he won a Successful Aging Award for his lifelong accomplishments, continuing service to business and the community and inspiration to people of all ages. He founded the Better World Campaign for kindergarten and first grade students which was implemented in schools in Connecticut, New Jersey and Florida. He was a past president of the East Bridgeport Trade and Civic Association and was on the Board of Associates of the University of Bridgeport, the Advisory Council and Scholarship Committee of Housatonic Community College, the Advisory Board of Citytrust Bank and the Bridgeport Regional Advisory Board of City National Bank of Connecticut. Ben also served on other boards including that of Bridgeport Hospital, the International Institute of Connecticut, the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Society and Hall Neighborhood House. He was a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the United Jewish Council of Greater Bridgeport and chaired several gift divisions of the United Jewish Appeal Campaigns. Ben also served as General Chairman of the United Jewish Appeal - Israel Emergency Fund Campaign. He was a volunteer for the American Heart Association Thrift Shop, the Jewish Family Service, the Community Closet and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). Seventy years after graduating from elementary school, he received his high school equivalency degree. He was an artist in fact and in spirit, a photographer, painter and sculptor. He was an avid golfer and twice achieved holes-in-one. Ben was a veteran of World War II and the oldest member of the American Legion Post 143 in Fairfield. He was a Mason for more than 50 years; a member of Congregation Rodeph Sholom; B'Nai Brith; and of the Jewish Historical Society. Funeral services will be held Sunday, November 13, at 11:30 a.m. in the Abraham L. Green & Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Road, Fairfield. Interment will take place at the cemetery of Congregation Rodeph Sholom, Kings Highway, Fairfield. Shiva will be observed Sunday through Tuesday at the home of Sheila and Burton Yaffie. Contributions may be made in Ben's memory to the Jewish Federation of Greater Bridgeport, Congregation Rodeph Sholom, Jewish Family Service or the Jewish Home for the Elderly of Fairfield County.

Published in the Connecticut Post from 11/11/2005 - 11/12/2005.

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