Longtime Westporter Donald Siegelaub died peacefully on Thursday. His children Susan Katz and Steven Siegelaub were with him. He was 99 years old.
After graduating from Midwood High School in his native Brooklyn in 1943, Don enlisted in the Army on his 18th birthday. He was part of the 4th Infantry Division during the D-Day assault on Utah Beach. Don saw heavy combat duty in the hedgerows of Normandy. In late July 1944, he was seriously wounded in action. He was evacuated to England and then the US for treatment and recovery. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his heroism.
After his discharge, Don attended Texas Christian University on a basketball scholarship. But he missed his family and friends, and at 21 he enrolled at Brooklyn College.
Don was the star center on Brooklyn’s famed basketball team, and met 16-year-old Marcia Jaffe. Though offered an NBA contract, Don moved on from basketball after graduation.
However, he stuck with and married his soulmate Marcia in 1950. They were inseparable for 62 years, until Marcia’s death in 2012.
During the 1950s, Don and 2 partners began a construction business in New York City. Recognizing an opportunity with the post-war housing boom in the Connecticut suburbs, Don relocated to Westport. He and Marcia put down roots and raised their young family.
Throughout the 1960s Don and his partners built hundreds of homes in Westport and surrounding communities in southern Connecticut. Don went out on his own in the early ’70s. He expanded his business to commercial construction, then built high-end single family homes in Westport and Weston.
Don and Marcia were early members of Rolling Hills Country Club, and founding members of Temple Israel in Westport. As avid supporters of the Anti- Defamation League, they opened their home each summer for fundraising events.
His family says, “Don will be remembered for his devotion to country, family, friends and community, as well as a life of honor, integrity and generosity.
He is survived by his children Susan Katz (Michael Ian) and Steven Siegelaub, grandchildren Adam Katz (Natasha), Sophie Katz (Brandon Williams), Jonathan Siegelaub (Kathy) and Tracy Siegelaub, and great-grandchildren Sila, River, Jacob and Estella.
Don’s funeral will be held at 1 p.m. today (Sunday), at Temple Israel.
Don Siegelaub
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Robert May — a 35-year special education teacher in Westport — died peacefully at his Southport home on December, surrounded by family. He was 77.
After his long and well-respected career in education, Bob turned toward gardening and other outdoor activities.
He was known for long daily walks along the beaches of Westport and Southport, during which he collected treasures. Bob turned everything from driftwood to discarded toys into intricate, whimsical and beautiful pieces of art.
Bob was also an avid photographer. With a keen eye for color and contrast, he captured the natural world. He shared his pieces and photographs widely with friends and family.
Bob spent many years volunteering with the Operation Hope food pantry, building friendships and providing support and laughter.
His family says, “his gentle spirit and presence meant Bob was also a chosen favorite of many dogs over the course of his life, as though they could sense that they had found a kindred spirit. Bob delighted in simple pleasures: hot and (very) sweet coffee, a well-crafted wooden slotted spoon, the skittering of shorebirds along the beach, a long and meandering conversation with a loved one, and an ice-cold vodka martini, extra dry.”
Bob was predeceased by his younger brothers Bruce, Werner and Daniel. He is survived by his older brother Richard; children Morgan May and Whitney Buckley, and their spouses; 4 grandchildren; his ex-wife and dear friend Kaye May, and a wide circle of family and friends.
Visitation is set for January 11 (10 a.m. to noon), followed at noon by a service to celebrate Bob’s life at Spear Miller Funeral Home in Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s honor to Operation Hope.
Bob May
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows a serene holiday scene on the Saugatuck River, behind Richmondville Avenue.
Everything was just ducky.
(Photo/Michael Pearl)
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And finally … happy 78th birthday to Marianne Faithfull.
Her first hit single was written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards (a current Weston resident) and Andrew Loog Oldham (a former Wilton resident who spent a lot of time in Westport):
Jagger and Richards were said to have written this song about her:
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Donald Siegelaub was an accomplished, warm and lovely man. His passing marks the loss of another significant part of “old”Westport. Love and condolences to Susan, Steven and their families
Condolences to our classmate Susan. I knew her dad had been a very talented basketball player way back in the day.
Some people are good and some are even great, and then there are the very rare ones that are special – Don was all of those.
Bob May was a gentle soul. His name is part of my son Michael’s core memories as one of his favorite Life Skills teachers at Staples. It was never Bob or never Mr. May, it was BobMay. To his family and friends please accept our most sincere condolences.
Mr. Siegelaub built the wonderful “Gault Park” development off Cross Highway which has stayed immune from tear downs because he built houses properly. One icon of Westport’s past and his daughter is a sweet heart.