Donald Eli Siegel (Donnie, Moose, Don)

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his half-brother, Harold Eu-gene Wagner (Jeep), of Buffalo.

Surviving are his wife, Pat Torrisi Siegel of Brighton, Mich.; daughter, Shelly (Jim) Wedge of Salt Lake City; son, Eric (Jennifer) Siegel of Howell, Mich.; granddaughters: U.S. Air Force Captain Nicole Wedge and U.S. Army Lieutenant Rachel Wedge; grandson, Eliott Siegel of Brighton; sisters: Patricia Siegel Langnau of Pensacola and Janneane Siegel of Mesa, AZ; mother-in- law, Albina Torrisi; sister-in-law, Linda (Larry) Kustra; niece, Cheryl Wagner; and nephews: Mark Wagner and Dr. Thomas Wagner; 22 great- nieces and nephews; and. cousins originally from Lakewood, Barbara Siegel (Irvin) Gellman of San Diego and Dr. Rocky (Dix-ie) Siegel of Lakewood; and cousins from James-town, Marilyn, Karen and Ronald Rich; and his oldest best friend, Don Rhoda.

Don grew up in Lake-wood, N.Y., and in 1959 graduated from South- western Central High School (In 2019, he at-tended his 60th reunion.) In high school he excelled in fun and sports (football and basketball). He was called “Moose”, nicknamed after his father, Sam, the founder and center of the Buffalo Bisons basketball team (1920s). Following high school he got an engineer-ing degree from Clarkson Tech in Potsdam, N.Y., where he met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Torrisi, his wife of 55 years.

After their wedding the newlyweds settled in Michigan, where Don exercised his business acumen. He owned two companies successively (Mechanics Tool Supply and Wholesalers Auto Supply), engaged in bartering and invested in real estate with his son, Eric. However, his successes in life were mostly attributed to his people skills and irresistible charm. He never wanted to hurt anyone’s feelings and he was known for his kindness and generosity as well as his humor. He loved people and they adored him and competed for his attention, but his family came first. He worked hard so he could play hard (water sports, snow skiing). with his wife, children and grandchildren. His house was seldom empty as he had many visitors both local and distant. Now his absence has left a hole in the hearts of all that knew him.

A celebration of life will be held in Michigan in June. In Don’s memory, you may make a contribution to “Wounded Warrior.”