Paul Segal, 84

WARREN, R.I. – Paul Lawrence Segal of Warren died peacefully at home on 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, Florida; his daughter, Linda (Segal), (with whom he shared a birthday, to his great delight) and Dan Blinn of Glastonbury, Connecticut; his son, Kenneth and Traci (Bornstein) Segal of Wenham, Massachusetts; 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 an undergraduate degree from Boston University and a master’s 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 Massachusetts Child Welfare Agency, where he rose to the position of Child Welfare Supervisor. In 1970, Paul relocated to Rhode Island to become the executive director of Jewish Family Service, a position he held for 32 years. After his retirement, he continued service to 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; 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, traveling 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, HopeHealth 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.