Jacob Segal, 86, passed away on December 17. Jacob was longtime resident of Marblehead, where he and his wife, Marilyn (Broder), raised three children. He is survived by his three children, Michael (Paula Lytle) of Washington, D.C., Dr. Cynthia Langburd (Peter) of Marblehead, and Allen (Aimee) of Potomac, Maryland, and five grandchildren, Harriet and Silas Langburd, Paul Lytle, and Samuel and Lila Segal.
In addition to his devotion to family, Jacob was committed to his community, active in local and national politics, and always ready to engage friends — new and old — with his warmth and wonderful sense of humor.
Born in Lynn, on July 25, 1937, Jacob attended Lynn Public Schools (Lynn English ’54). He went on to graduate from Boston University, receiving an undergraduate degree, as well as a law degree and a master of law degree. He practiced law for five decades in Salem at the firm of Ronan, Segal and Harrington.
A natural leader from an early age, Jacob was elected “Aleph Gadol” of his AZA chapter, in addition to being a national officer. He went on to serve as president of the North Shore Jewish Federation, Jewish Rehabilitation Center and the Museum of Science in Boston.
In 2017, he was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters from Salem State University, in recognition of his decades of service to the university and the broader community. He served two stints as president of the Salem State College Foundation. In 2007, he was appointed by Gov. Deval Patrick to the college’s board of trustees. After being elected president of the board, he helped guide the institution’s transition from college to university status.
Services will be held at Congregation Shirat Hayam, 55 Atlantic Ave., Swampscott, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Pride of Lynn Cemetery, Lynn.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Jacob’s memory to the Marilyn J. and Jacob S. Segal Family Scholarship at Salem State University. Mail donations to SSU Alumni Association and Foundation, 352 Lafayette St., Salem, MA 01970, or donate online at salemstate.edu/segalfamily or to the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore.
For online condolences, go to: goldmanfc.com. Arrangements by Goldman Funeral Chapel, Malden.
I am unspeakably saddened by the death of my long time friend and attorney, Jacob. Jake loved his cigars and when I would visit his office, I would call out, “Stop, Drop and Roll”! and everyone in the office had a chuckle over it. Jake lived his life with dignity, grace, fairness and honor. Fiercely loyal, he loved to share an afternoon playing golf with his friends of which I was privileged to be one. He gave wise council to my family and me for over 40 years. I want Marilyn and Jake’s family to know that my family cares…they just don’t come better than Jake!