Lester Siegel's Obituary
Lester was born to Leonard and Rae Siegel of Brooklyn, New York. A mischievous child, he had a quick wit and a knack for storytelling that would only grow throughout his life. After high school, he went on to serve his country during World War II as a gunner and mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Corps. From 1942-1945, he served in the Eighth Air Force in England, flying 31 missions in a B-17 Flying Fortress over Nazi-occupied France.
He met the love of his life, Shirley Lipperman, on the boardwalk in Brighton Beach shortly after returning to Brooklyn in 1945. The two married on February 21, 1947 and settled in Brighton Beach, where they lived happily for more than 50 years. Though Lester owned an auto parts store and worked as a jeweler, he was most in his element during his four decades owning and driving a yellow taxi in New York City. His passengers – who included a remarkable range of people from Salvador Dalí to Frank Sinatra – provided an endless audience for his stories and jokes, arriving at their destinations on-time and entertained. As much as he loved meeting his passengers, nothing brought him more joy than his family. Lester and Shirley were the proud parents of two daughters, Renee, who became a teacher, and Adrienne, a skilled artist. The two went on to build families of their own, bringing Lester and Shirley four grandsons and eventually five great-grandchildren, all of whom showered them with love for the rest of their lives. In 2003, Lester decided to hang up the medallion for good, moving to Florida with Shirley to enjoy their retirement. Lester spent his days visiting with family and friends and enjoying activities like tai chi, drawing, bridge, tennis, and dancing.
When Shirley passed away in fall 2020, Lester felt a huge void. Adrienne, Renee and her husband Ted were with him each day, accompanying him to the poolside Rummikub games and friendly camaraderie that became a highlight of his daily life. His caregiver, Sharon, added cheer, laughter, and companionship. Lester is survived by his large and loving family: his daughter Renee Alman and her husband Ted, their older son Lee Alman and his husband Theo Vuduris, their younger son David Alman and his wife Elizabeth, as well as their sons Matthew, Caleb, and Judah; his daughter Adrienne Geffen, her boyfriend Michael Lieberman, her older son Ari Geffen and his wife Kristin, as well as their children Shya and Tabor, and her younger son Elan Geffen and his girlfriend Marsha Hudson, all of whom will always remember him with enduring love and a deep appreciation for his many lessons on the importance of family, the value of friendship, and the power of a good story.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your cause of choice in Lester’s memory.
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