Paul Lawrence Segal
DATELINE: WARREN
Paul Lawrence Segal of Warren, RI died peacefully at home on Sunday, April 17, 2022, surrounded by his family. He leaves his loving wife of 61 years Roberta (Goldberg), his sister Lois (Segal) and Larry Waldman of Del Ray, FL; his daughter Linda (Segal) (with whom he shared a birthday, to his great delight) and Dan Blinn of Glastonbury, CT; his son Kenneth and Traci (Bornstein) Segal of Wenham, MA; and grandchildren Lianne, Eric, and Rachel (Keller) Blinn and Joshua, Malin, Cameron, and Carter Segal.
Boston born and bred to Morris and Leah (Perlis) Segal, Paul received his undergraduate degree from Boston University and his Masters degree in Social Work from Boston College, from which he later received a Distinguished Alumni Award. Paul spent his entire career in social services, initially with the New Bedford Division of Child Guardianship and later with the Commonwealth of MA Child Welfare Agency, where he rose to the position of Child Welfare Supervisor. In 1970, Paul relocated to RI to become the Executive Director of Jewish Family Service, a position he held for 32 years. After his retirement, he continued to service the elderly as a consultant to nursing homes.
Paul was known for his outspokenness and his free spirit. He loved to discuss politics and sports and was a voracious reader. He paid his grandson Eric a dollar to become a Boston Red Sox fan, and tolerated (barely) Lianne and Eric’s rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers only because they shared his love of Gregg’s chocolate cake.
A strong believer in giving back to the community, Paul volunteered his time to several nonprofit organizations. He served as the Vice President of the Boston College School of Social Work Alumni Association Board; President of Temple Habonim in Barrington, RI; President of the Rotary Club of Providence; and Chairman of the Providence Rotary Charities Foundation. Through his involvement with Rotary, he developed a treasured relationship with Andrea Dall’Olio of Castell’Arquato, Italy, a Rotary scholar who became a lifelong member of the Segal family.
Nationally, Paul served on the Board of the Council of the Accreditations, travelling throughout the U.S. and Canada to review family service agencies.
Paul received wonderful care during his illness from his wife Roberta, daughter Linda, numerous wonderful close friends and the support of his neighbors at Hanley Farm. He is grateful for the medical care he received from Dr. Suzanne Burns of Coastal Medical, Dr. Rabin Niroula of the Miriam Hospital Fain Cancer Center, Dr. Eric Winer of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, HopeHeatlh Palliative and Home Hospice (including nurses Mel Barboza and Brenda Verville), Visiting Angels, and his personal attendant Godwin James Ikpe.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Temple Habonim, 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington, RI 02806 or to Providence Rotary Charities Foundation, Box 70, Barrington, RI 02806.
Funeral services will be held TUESDAY, April 19, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. in Temple Habonim with burial to follow in Sharon Memorial Park. Shiva will be held at his late residence on Tuesday 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday & Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m.
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Shalom Memorial Chapel
1100 New London Ave
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 463-7771
(877) 463-7771
Fax: (401) 463-7850
ShalomChapel@aol.com
So sorry for your loss, Roberta and Lois and families. My thoughts
and prayers are with you. May his memory be for a blessing.
Love, Irma
Paul was pillar of the jewish community. His service speaks for itself. My condolences to his family
Paul was a wonderful man and a great boss. I loved working with him and learned a lot. He will be missed.
To the Segal Family,
I was sorry to hear that Paul passed away. He was helpful to me when he was JFS. He was a real gentlemen. May your memories help during this difficult time.
Ellen Gourse
So sorry for your loss, Roberts and family. Marilyn Eanet (LLC)
Sending warm thoughts
Dear Roberta and Family:
Sincere condolences on Paul’s passing. Take comfort in all the love that you shared as a family and in all the impact he made on the lives of so many.
Paula & Rick Keogh
So sorry for your loss, Roberta. I didn’t know Paul, but it seems he was a wonderful person. I’m sure you will miss him sorely.
roberta and family,
we are so sorry for your loss.
our love and light to you during this time.
jodi and ruthie
My heartfelt condolences to Roberta and their family.He leaves a wonderful legacy of good deeds and devoted work to the community.
I met Paul when I first joined LLC in 2011, and have enjoyed our association ever since. I will miss him, as will many others at LLC.
Deepest condolences to Roberta and family. Truly loved working with Paul through the Providence Rotary.
Warm regards,
Pat Germani
My deepest expression of condolence ! May you find pease in the memories!
My deepest sympathy is extended to Roberta and the entire family.
I worked with Paul in our mutual community activities, and it was such a pleasure to do so. His voice for the most vulnerable in our community was powerful, and he worked hard all his life, to ensure that their needs were met. Paul’s presence will be sorely missed.
May his memory be an eternal blessing.
Roberta —
We share some fragment of your sense of loss of a fine life so generously lived. Sincere condolences and love.
Jerry & Elsa Grieder
I will miss you, my special friend. We could tease each other and not be offended. Our shared interests at Rotary meetings and our continued friendship with the book club enriched my life.
God continues to bless you as you go on this new journey.
peace and love, Marion F. Avarista
Dear Roberta, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I must say I find widowhood very difficult. I wish you luck in the hard months ahead. Perhaps I will see you at LLC, though I no longer drive there myself.. Fondly, Carol
So sorry to learn of the passing of Paul..My condolences to Roberta and family..
Paul’s life is and will always be cherished by Roberta, family, the Rotary family, and all who were fortunate to know him. His life was the definition of Service above Self, and he epitomized the example of tikun olam. We are all better because Paul was in our lives.
Dear Roberta,
I never had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Paul, and, after reading about him, I’m so sorry our paths never crossed…he sounds like a very special person. I just want to offer my sincere condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. May the many wonderful memories that you have help sustain you. ❤️
Roberta and family
Paul was such a wonderful Jewish professional. It was such a pleasure working with him many years ago when I was involved with Jewish Family Services.
I am so very sorry for your loss. All of your wonderful memories with him, will hopefully l help during this difficult time.
Warm regards,
Cheryl Greenfeld Teverow
Roberta, so sorry for your loss, you were both fortunate to have each other in your lives. Keeping your family in my prayers
Roberta,
Across the years since a course at RIC and then sporadic times at Audubon, we have connected. Extending deepest sympathy, I wish you the comfort of family and friends as you absorb your loss.
Roberta I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Paul. We enjoyed many years of celebrating anniversary together. May he rest in peace.
Dearest Roberta and family,
Words cannot express my feelings to the fullest. I know what you are going through.
What a beautiful obituary and picture of Paul.
It was my/our pleasure to know Paul at various stages of his life.
May his passing be a blessing.
I will let you catch your breath and contact you soon. Barbara
Roberta we are so sorry to hear of your loss and are thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dearest Roberta and your family,
We are saddened to learn of Paul’s passing though grateful for the end of his suffering. May all the best memories of your life together provide comfort to you during these first moments in the absence of Paul’s presence and sustain you in your life beyond your immediate grief. Heartfelt sympathy for your loss of your beloved life partner. In the spirit of your goodwill as a couple you and Paul together provided needed and appreciated support during difficult times. We do wish for you and your family now, support in kind and every sweet reflection.
Dear Roberta and Family we were so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. He was a wonderful guy and a treasured friend. I will never forget our years together at Steven’s Home and how much I was able to learn from Paul’s wisdom and knowledge. I enjoyed endless hours speaking of the Red Sox and Celtics with Paul.
May he RIP. God. Bless. Pat and Tom