Obituary of Leroy Siegel

Leroy Siegel passed away while surrounded by family on November 20, 2016 at the age of 93. Born February 1, 1923, Leroy was the eldest son of Fay and Murray Siegel. Born in the Bronx, Leroy moved with his family at age 13 to Schenectady where he lived the majority of his life. He was a star running back on both the Nott Terrace High School and Union College football teams. When the United States entered World War II, Leroy enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942. Before deploying to Guam, Leroy married his high school sweetheart Sara Weiss in 1944. Leroy earned the rank of Staff Sergeant and served as the gunner on a B-29 Superfortress in the Pacific. While on a mission over Nagoya in April 1945, his plane was attacked by a kamikaze aircraft. Of eleven crewmembers, Leroy was one of three survivors. Leroy was captured by the Japanese forces as a Prisoner of War and was not freed until the Japanese surrender. For his service, Leroy earned a Purple Heart. After the war, he returned home to Schenectady where he finished earning his degree at Union College, then worked for his father-in-law in the meatpacking industry for many years. Leroy lived the last three years of his life at the Albany VA nursing home where he was well cared for and made many friends. He loved spending time with his family and friends, and also enjoyed reading, watching movies, listening and dancing to Frank Sinatra and watching the Giants play football. Leroy was a very loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his children Richard (Susan) and Joan Olender (Richard), four grandchildren, five precious great grandchildren, and three brothers. Services at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue Schenectady on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 9:00am, Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. The period of mourning will be held at the home of Lisa and Seth Newman, 585 Jefferson Court in Guilderland, NY on Wednesday November 23rd commencing at 7:00pm.