Dr. Martin Siegel, born in the Bronx in July, 1929 to Murray M. and Fay Chesin Siegel, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025 at the age of 95. He was surrounded by family and friends.

The family moved to Schenectady in 1937. In 1947, Dr. Siegel graduated from Nott Terrace High before attending Union College on a NY State scholarship. Dr. Siegel received his Masters’ degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, which he attended on a President’s Scholarship. He earned his Doctor of Education in Curriculum Development from Columbia Teacher’s College.

Dr. Siegel served in the U.S. Army from 1952 – 54 as a Troop Information and Education Specialist. He was stationed in Sasebo, Japan during the Korean War.

On return to civilian life, he taught in the South Glens Falls School District. In 1955, he began teaching English, reading and social studies in the Schenectady City School District, before becoming a resource teacher in the seven secondary schools. Dr. Siegel created a K – 12 Language Arts Program for the district and became the first Director of that program.

In 1968, Dr. Siegel became Director of Curriculum for a regional high school district serving six New Jersey communities. He retired from that position in December 1990 to return to Schenectady to help care for his mother.

Dr. Siegel was an actively involved member of the Agudat Achim synagogue community, attending daily services and regularly volunteering. He was always present to lend a helping hand, offer a ride, or to just offer friendship to many of his fellow congregants.

Dr. Siegel was the fourth youngest of five brothers, who all predeceased him. He is survived by his three sons, Benjamin, Steven and Barney, and his sister-in-law Mary. He has six grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Donations in honor of Dr. Siegel will be welcome at Congregation Agudat Achim Synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue or the Schenectady City Mission.

Funeral services will be held graveside on Thursday June 26th at 10:00 am at The Agudat Achim Cemetery, 100 Mt. Stuart Rd. In Rotterdam. 

The Funeral services will be livestreamed with Zoom and can be viewed by clicking the link below:

Livestream of Funeral Services for Dr. Martin Siegel

Meeting ID -  850 0190 1838    Passcode -  234353

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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