Philip Segal, Jr., 96

CRANSTON, R.I. – Philip A. Segal, Jr. passed away peacefully on April 5, 2023, at his home with his treasured family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Barbara (Kopel) Segal for 75 loving years. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he was a son of the late Philip and Nanette (Marks) Segal. Philip had lived in Cranston for 69 years, previously living in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Philip was a devoted father of James Segal and his partner, Gail Sullivan, of Woburn, Massachusetts; Joan Segal, of Wayland, Massachusetts; and Adam Segal and his wife, Julie Sears Segal, of Ellington, Connecticut. He was a loving grandfather of Jennifer, Michael, Spencer and Joshua. He was a cherished great-grandfather of Maiya, Brielle and William. He was predeceased by his parents; his grandparents; his dear brother, John N. Segal; and his daughter-in-law, Cheryl Segal.

Philip attended Underwood Grammar School and Bigelow Junior High. He graduated from Newton High School in 1943 and briefly worked as a football manager before joining the armed forces. Philip was a sergeant in the U.S Army, honorably serving during World War II in the infantry in Okinawa, Japan, 27th Division. He was later assigned to be a USO guide for the athletics program for the 11th Airborne, where he also worked as a resort hotel manager responsible for soldier R&R.

After discharge, he attended Dartmouth College, where he acted as an assistant class manager and class secretary while serving on the student council. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1948, and he was a member of Pi Lambda Phi. During college, he was the intramural manager for varsity baseball and later was an executive intramural manager.

With his experience and degree, he joined Commonwealth Grocery as a co-buyer and later joined Almacs, Inc. as a store manager. He soon became a buyer and later executive vice president, then president, retiring in 1992.

In 1958, Philip was a co-founding member of Temple Sinai. From 1960-1963, he served on the board of directors as president. He served as an officer for the Cranston YMCA, YMCA of Greater Providence, Rhode Island Food Dealers Association and the Providence Coalition for a Drug Free America. He was a supporter of the RI Philharmonic Orchestra. A proud member of the Jewish Community Center, he was a RI Commodore with the Providence Chamber of Commerce. Until his passing, he was a board member for the RI Jewish Historical Society and the RI Zoological Society and a life docent for Roger Williams Park Zoo. Despite all of these lifelong commitments, Philip still found time for his hobbies: tennis, photography, traveling and gardening.

Contributions may be made to Dartmouth College, (payable to the) Trustees of Dartmouth College, Gift Recording Office, 6066 Development Office, Hanover, NH 03755-4400 or givea memorial gift to Roger Williams Park Zoo by clicking  here.