By Seth Daniel and Laura Plummer
Both the City Council and School Committee have approved naming the new Clark Avenue Middle School in honor of Morris ‘Morrie’ Seigel, a longtime School Committeeman and former Williams School Principal.
During Monday evening’s City Council session, members voted on a proposal that had already received School Committee approval.
City Manager Thomas Ambrosino’s proposal to dedicate the Clark Avenue Middle School to the late educator and community figure passed with unanimous support from the Council. The school will now carry the name Morris H. Seigel Clark Avenue Middle School.
Members of the City Council expressed warm sentiments regarding Seigal.
Councilman Calvin Brown remarked, “Mr. Seigal was not only a wonderful person
for the city of Chelsea, he was a great gentleman,” “When he wasn’t in his professional attire, he had his Chelsea jacket
on, his Chelsea hat on, displaying his pride.”
Councillor Giovanni Recupero added, “There’s
only one [way] to describe Mr. Seigal–great person. If anyone deserves this,
it’s Mr. Seigal. He was the teacher of my kids for many years. For 40 years, I
knew the gentleman and he was a very nice person.”
A dedicated educator in Chelsea, Seigel served as principal of the Williams School and spent 29 years as a School Committeeman. He also worked as a youth leader at the Chelsea YMHA.
In 2013, recognizing his veteran status, he was named Chief Marshal of the Memorial Day Girl Scout Parade.
Seigel passed away in October 2013.