Robert M. Siff

WORCESTER - Robert M. Siff, age 94, a resident of Palm Beach, FL, a loving husband, father, grandfather, humanitarian and businessman, died on Tuesday, September 11, after a 20 year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

He had been President and CEO of B-W Footwear, Ambassador Shoe and BWA International.

He was the son of Harry and Amy (Aronson) Siff and was also the son of Harry and Charlotte (Robbins) Siff. He was raised in Worcester and in 2005 he moved and became a resident of Palm Beach, FL.

After completing his freshman year at Brown University he enlisted in the Army and was a member of the 95th infantry division under General Patton. He landed and fought in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and liberated two concentration camps. He was fluent in the German language and in the Yiddish language and had been an interpreter. He earned the Bronze Star.

Following the War he completed his education at Brown University.

He leaves his wife, Shirley (Shrago) Siff; a son, Lawrence “Larry” Siff and his wife, Joan of Newton; a daughter, Karen Ann Siff-Exkorn, wife of Franklin Exkorn of Sparkhill, NY; and four grandchildren, Jake, Emily, Matthew and Andrew. He was predeceased by his brothers, Ronald and Michael Siff.

He was a lifetime director and Past President of Two-Ten International Foundation, and a board of director of the Worcester Jewish Federation, the Ecotarium (Former Worcester Science Center,) Clark University – Center for Holocaust Studies, Worcester Jewish Healthcare, Center for Adoption-UMass Medical Center, Board of UMass Medical Center and The ARC. He received the T. Kenyon Holly Memorial Award, Angel in Adoption Award and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts dedicated the Robert M. Siff State Square in Webster.

FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 11:00 AM ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH IN TEMPLE EMANUEL SINAI, 661 SALISBURY STREET, WORCESTER UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN. Burial will be in B’Nai Brith Cemetery.

Please omit flowers.

Memorial Contributions may be made to UMass Memorial Center for Autism, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Doctor Selkoe Research for Alzheimer’s,) Two-Ten Foundation Scholarships or to Brown University Scholarships.

Memorial Observance will be held at the Siff residence through the evening of Thursday, September 13th, 2PM to 6PM on Friday, September 14th and beginning at 8PM on Saturday, September 15th.