Sidney Zigelman

Sid Zigelman passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on November 22, 2020. Sid was born in the Bronx, NY on December 14th, 1952 to Meyer and Lola Zigelman, Polish-born holocaust concentration camp survivors who met at a displaced-persons camp in Germany. They immigrated to the United States and to the Bronx in 1949 to start a family and a new life. Sid was raised in an observant Jewish household along with his older brother David, and had his Bar Mitzvah in 1965. Growing up in the Bronx, Sid enjoyed playing sports like neighborhood hockey, stickball, baseball, basketball and following his favorite NY sports teams: Yankees, Jets, & Rangers. Education and hard work in the Zigelman household was extremely important and Sid studied Accounting and obtained three college degrees including two Bachelors and a Masters in Business Administration. While going to college, he met the love of his life, Susan Alexander on a blind-date setup by a mutual friend. In 1974, Sid started his 36 year career with the State of California Board of Equalization as a corporate tax auditor. Sid and Susan were wed in 1976 in Queens, NY and started their own family with their two sons Steven and Alan. Together they settled down in Smithtown, Long Island where they made lifelong friends. As Sid's career advanced, the family moved from NY to Houston, TX and eventually to Sacramento, CA where they continued to make dear friends in each city. In 2010, Sid retired from the State of California and they returned to Houston to be close to their family. In his retirement, he enjoyed going on cruises with Susan but most of all being the daily caregivers for their beautiful granddaughters, Shelby and Madison. Everyone who met Sid enjoyed spending time with him and experiencing his sense of humor. He was an energetic storyteller and making people laugh brought him happiness. He took pride in being a man of his word and was proud to be known as caring, honest, dependable. He wouldn't hesitate to go out of his way to help a friend when they needed it. Sid was easy to get to know and if you were interested in sports, he was an instant friend and he could talk to you for hours. He loved playing and watching sports and getting immersed in all the details of the game. He enjoyed the competative of sportsmanship and as an adult loved playing in softball and basketball leagues, reliving his youth. Sid had a quick wit and sharp sarcasm, and found the humor in everyday life. He was an expert strategist and always had a plan for the future. His Jewish upbringing and traditions were also important to him and he instilled these values in his family. While he faced many health challenges later in life, he remained brave and courageous, never giving up the fight, and still found humor and enjoyment in his life wherever possible. Sid valued his time with his family and prioritized them above his career and various events in life. He was a devoted husband of over 44 years of marriage and was a proud father to his two sons. Being "Papa" was his greatest joy and he truly loved time spent with his two granddaughters, Shelby and Madison. He looked forward to every precious minute with them, whether it was playing games, making silly faces, hosting sleepovers and family meals, teaching them skills, talking trips to the park, or just having funny conversations over the phone. They always put a smile on his face and you could see his love for them. Sid was preceded in his passing by his parents Meyer and Lola Zigelman. Sid is survived by his loving wife Susan, son Steven, son Alan and wife Jennifer, granddaughters Shelby and Madison; brother David and wife Beverley, and many cousins and longtime friends he loved and touched deeply. We will never forget him. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, we suggest making donations to either The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, MD Anderson Cancer Center or your charity of choice in his honor.

Sidney Zigelman

December 14, 1952 - November 22, 2020