Donald Siegel to be laid to rest today
DONALD “DON” SIEGEL, who worked for 35 years for investment firm Howard Weil, passed away on September 27, 2023. He was 87.
DONALD SIEGEL
A New Orleans native and lifelong resident, he graduated from Tulane University. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent a year in South Korea, a year he called the “best year of his life.” He remained an active member of the Army Reserves and retired as a Lt. Colonel.
Siegel graduated from Tulane University and joined Howard Weil, an investment firm that specialized in energy. He was a dedicated employee, missing only one day of work for his father’s funeral.
Following his retirement, he became a Master Mason at Lee E. Thomas Lodge and later became a plural member of Linn Wood-Ionic Lodge, James M. Walley Lodge and Albert Pike Lodge, F&AM. He also became 32-degree Mason and a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in The Valley of New Orleans, Scottish Rite Freemasonry. Siegel also became a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in the Jerusalem Temple, was a member of the St. Bernard Shrine Club and played music as a member of the Oriental Band.
A full-time volunteer, he chauffeured crippled and burned children to the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children in Shreveport and the Shriners Burns Institute in Galveston, TX. He ran the Gift Shop at the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans for many years and, until the beginning of the COVID pandemic in 2020, drove for Meals-on-Wheels in Metairie.
He was a lively, engaged person, who overcame the ills of his time to always welcome anyone to cross his threshold, and to offer help, no questions asked. He particularly enjoyed spending time fishing and used the best of the lessons he received from his family, his faith and his time in the Army to apply them to his beloved Masonic organizations, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of the World Wars.
It was said he never got angry and never was mean. Despite his leaving no direct descendants, he leaves a legacy of goodwill, wonderful memories and an example of what it is to be the best person you can be.
Family and friends are invited to attend his funeral today, Oct. 20, 2023, at Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Avenue, October 20, 2023 at 12 noon. Rabbi Daniel Sherman will officiate. Visitation begins at 11:00 a.m. with interment following at the Masonic Cemetery, 400 City Park Avenue.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children – Shreveport.
