Arthur Seidman, WWII veteran, volunteer, family man, dies at 105 

Those who didn't know Arthur Seidman would believe that the late Great Neck resident had discovered the fountain of youth. But to his family and friends, Seidman's energetic manner, work ethic, and jubilant smile all pointed to a man who took the greatest pleasure in helping others. He died of heart failure on Aug. 24 in Great Neck at the age of 105.

"If I had to pick one word to describe Dad, it would be decent. He was an extremely decent, ethical, and honest human being," said his son, Dr. Steven Seidman, 69, of Charleston, South Carolina. The retired Manhasset obstetrician-gynecologist also remembered his father as a very gentle, upright, and kind person, who never passed judgment on anyone and had a positive outlook on life.

Seidman was born in 1917 in New York City to Eastern European immigrant parents. He grew up in the Bronx until he was 12, before moving to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Seidman attended Brooklyn College and was drafted into the military in 1941 before the start of World War II.

He met his wife, Lilyan, in 1938, and the two were married in September 1941 just before Seidman was deployed overseas. A decorated war veteran, he served in the Pacific during the entire span of World War II. He was a forward observer in the Army Field Artillery and received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

After the war, Seidman took a job as a textile salesman in Manhattan's Garment District, a position he would hold for 50 years. He and Lilyan settled in Great Neck where they would raise their son and daughter.

"He was a devoted husband and cherished his family, which always came first. My sister and I never wanted to disappoint him. He was always there for us, very into our activities or whatever we were doing," said Steven.

"Dad was a very involved father. My brother and I were always proud to be his children," said daughter Jane Krakauer of Great Neck. "He moved in with me in May 2020 after falling and breaking his arm. I will always remember the interaction between my kids and him over the last 2½ years. He was a wonderful grandfather and great-grandfather."

A lover of history, sailing and music, Seidman was also a voracious reader and New York Yankees fan. Krakauer recalled her father enjoying show music from Rogers and Hammerstein and the tunes of Billy Joel, Barbra Streisand and Harry Belafonte.

But Seidman's greatest joy was volunteering and helping others.

"He had a lot of energy and was a very social person. He was loved by all who knew him and had a knack for making people feel better about themselves," said Steven, who suggested that his father donate his time at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. "From the age of 75 to 100, he was the longest volunteer there and amassed more hours than anyone else. He walked around the floors delivering newspapers to patients, worked in the surgical waiting room and sat with families of patients, and was in charge of the raffles. People only wanted to buy tickets from him."

But Seidman's most important job was at the hospital's Monter Cancer Center helping chemotherapy patients.

"That's a hard job to do and he was the only one who did it. Dad made it a point to never talk to patients about their specific disease and tried to help them escape their thoughts for the time they were there," said Steven. "He would sit with them or bring them whatever they needed, and was happy to do so. He will truly be missed by so many of the people he touched throughout his life."

Seidman's wife, Lilyan, died 1986.

In addition to his son and daughter, Seidman is survived by three grandchildren and a great-grandson. A funeral service was held on Aug. 26, with internment at Mount Ararat Cemetery in Farmingdale.