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Obituary for Jacob Seidman
Jacob Seidman Obituary Jacob “Jack” Seidman was born on January 31, 1925 to Ruben and Gertie Pickman in Winnipeg Canada. After a family tragedy, Jack was sent to live with distant relatives in Brooklyn NY, Morris and Sophie Seidman, who raised him as their son. Jack attended Boys High in Brooklyn and then enrolled at City College School of Engineering. His education was interrupted by service in WWII as a member of the Army Core of Engineers in Europe, primarily stationed in France. Even at the young age of 18, he expected to be in charge. His sergeants didn’t appreciate his burgeoning leadership skills, so it was no surprise that he didn’t advance past the rank of Corporal. His platoon missed the ship to the Battle of the Bulge where almost all of the engineers perished. That was one of many close calls during the war, which included building bridges at the front and the equally dangerous work with minefields. Bringing his clarinet along proved fruitful as Jack formed and led one of the first, perhaps the first, integrated army bands. After the war, Jack finished his education, earning a BS in Civil Engineering from City College of New York. After working for an engineering firm, he found his life’s work in the construction industry, first with his mentor Harold Brandt and later in his own firm, Parks-Seidman, Inc, which as majority owner, he managed for over 30 years. He was intimately involved in the major construction industry associations, culminating with his presidency of the General Building Contractors Association. Parks-Seidman, Inc. specialized in sewage treatment plants and a variety of water pumping stations along with many other public works including schools and prisons all over New York State. After seeing skiers in the Alps during World War II, Jack promised himself he would learn to ski. In the years after the war, he and his best friends made trips to Canada and Vermont to learn to ski. With 8 foot long wooden skis, non-releasable bindings and no lessons, it’s amazing no one was killed. Jack taught his three boys to ski at very young ages and it became the family’s most loved activity (well, perhaps not for Roslyn). Jack and Roslyn (passed away in January ’17) were married for 63 years and still holding hands in Roslyn’s final days. Jack is survived by his sons David, Adam & Eric, David’s wife, Anna, Eric’s wife, Leslie and grandchildren Arielle, Daniel and Madeline. After failing to entice any of his sons to join him in business, Jack retired and immersed himself in the City College of NY Engineering Alumni Association. He served as its President for many years and created a mentoring program for CCNY Engineering alumni to work with students on internships and first jobs. He was most proud of the mentoring he did with female and foreign engineering students. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Jack Seidman Civil Engineering Scholarship at City College of New York.
