Having traveled to North/South Carolina and Tennessee this summer we were stunned upon our arrival back in Sullivan County to learn of the death of former 95-year-old Town of Rockland supervisor Lee Siegel.
A true friend to everyone, we had the opportunity many years ago to be one of the members of the media that covered the board of supervisors meetings in Monticello where Lee represented not only the Town of Rockland but was a true pubic servant for the county of Sullivan.
Over the years Lee and I would have many conversations about the present legislative form of government comparing it to the former board of supervisors and adding into our talks the pros and cons of both forms of government.
Also remembering well the weekly visits to Siegel's Department Store in Livingston Manor where we helped Lee with his advertising requests and had the opportunity to view an outstanding array of merchandise.
Lee was born on August 24, 1919 on the second floor of the building that would one day become Siegel's Department Store.
We often saw Lee at the Livingston Manor Post Office and at various public events and he easily fit the category of being a consummate community guy.
A very popular and very well liked man, Lee had several causes to which he devoted his life including working with the Livingston Manor Rotary where he was a charter member, restoring the covered bridge in Livingston Manor, his service to Congregation Agudas Achim where he was president for 30 years and while a member of the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors he initiated the first Sullivan County recycling center that was constructed in the Town of Rockland.
In summing up the greatness of Lee Siegel, his son Gary wrote on facebook the following statement about his dad, "is it the truth? is it fair to all concerned? will it build good will and better friendships? will is be beneficial to all concerned? that's the test my dad lived by.....you made Livingston Manor, Sullivan County and the world a better place."
Our numerous conversations also centered around Lee's love for music, the Callicoon Center Band where he played clarinet and where his son Gary is also a member and the graduation of grandson Max from the Ithaca College of Music.
Our last official photo of Lee was taken at the Catskill Brewery in November of last year with the Brewery being located about a block away from Lee's Livingston Manor home. The event was the introduction to the community of a new beer and also featured to Lee's delight the performance and musical talents of the world renowned Pennsylvania based John Stanky Polka Band........he just loved music and this was a treat everyone was enjoying but Lee made sure to take time visiting with many locals.
We, his loving family and all that knew Lee will truly miss this great man.
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