Obituary
October 29, 2023
Cantor Bruce H. Siegel, 76, of Gloucester, MA, formerly of Allenhurst, NJ, Savannah, GA, and Cortland, NY passed away peacefully on October 29, 2023.
Bruce was born in Chelsea, MA, the eldest son of the late James & Rebecca Siegel and grew up in Beverly, MA before moving to Schenectady, NY as a teen. At SUNY Cortland, he received a BS in English Education '69, and an MS in Education '76. Later, he was a Cantorial student of Hazzan Harold Lerner.
He was an innovative production manager at 62 WHEN Radio in Syracuse, NY 1977-1986 and taught Public Speaking, Audio Production and Media Writing at SUNY Cortland 1986-1995 before finding his calling as a cantor. He then went on to serve as a combination of songleader, master educator, interim rabbi, and magical hazzan for many synagogues including Temple Brith Shalom, Cortland, NY 1987-1995, Temple Israel, Binghamton, NY 1990-1995, Congregation Agudath Achim, Temple Mickve Israel, & Shalom School, Savannah, GA 1995-2000, and Congregation Torat El (Formerly Temple Beth Torah,) Ocean, NJ 2000-2015. In retirement, he served as a volunteer hazzan for Temple Ahavat Achim, Gloucester, MA and Temple B'nai Abraham, Beverly, MA.
Bruce was author of several Judaic novellas for young adults, and the 1998 AJL Sydney Taylor Book Awarded children's book The Magic of Kol Nidre. He was also a professional magician and champion athlete.
He was a member of the Cantor's Assembly, the Society of American Magicians, and the Kappa fraternity.
Bruce was the devoted husband of Anne (Cohn) Siegel, proud father of Joshua C Siegel, dear brother of Paul Siegel and Gail Siegel Mounts, and loving zaide of Ephraim and Eli Wily-Bernhardt.
A memorial service will be held at Temple B'nai Abraham 200 East Lothrop Street, Beverly on Wednesday, November 1 at 11:00 AM. Followed by a meal of consolation at the Temple.
He will be laid to rest in the Temple Brith Sholom Section of the Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland, NY on Friday, November 3 at 10:00 AM
In lieu of flowers, the Siegel family asks that donations be made in his honor to digdeep.org
Source: Legacy.com by Goldman Funeral Chapel - Malden, MA on Nov. 1, 2023.
