Max Segal (Mordechai)

Born Safed, Palestine in 12/02/1902

Youngest son of Rabbi Israel Segal & Leah Segal.

Survived by his 3 sons, 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

His mother Leah Segal was a direct descendant of the Rambam and lived many years beyond 100 (110). Max brought her to Australia at the age of 106 in 1965 to care for her through her final years. She was the oldest person ever to immigrate to Australia .

Max loved to tell stories of his youth to his sons, grandchildren & great-grandchildren and we equally relished the retelling of his adventures. Sadly, very little was actually recorded.

In 1914, at age 12, he left Palestine with one of his sisters to escape the plagues of illness (typhoid & cholera) and travelled through Europe before returning to Palestine around the time of his Bar Mitzvah. Although he & his sister travelled alone at such a young age, through wartime Europe , not knowing anyone, he said he was never afraid. His sons cannot think of anything he feared or worried about.

During his youth, after his return to Palestine , he served in both the Turkish & British Armies as well as working as a carpenter and jeweller.

In 1927 he migrated to Australia , initially arriving in Perth where several of his siblings had already settled.

Finding it difficult to gain employment there, he decided to move east to Melbourne and thus became the first Jew to cross the Nullarbor Dessert.

In Melbourne he not only found work, but also his future wife, Sally (Sarah). The first of their 3 sons, Sol, was born in Melbourne in 1932. Following that, Max, Sally & Sol travelled back to Perth to be closer to Max's family there and Leon, their second son was born. Sometime later, they decided again to move back to Melbourne where their third son Joe (Joseph) was born.

Anyone who knew Max knew of his passion for music. This was ignited when his own father (then in his 60's) brought a violin teacher into the house to teach him (Rabbi Israel ) the violin. Max pleaded for lessons for himself but this was refused, so he vowed that his own children would learn music.

Sol became a violinist, Leon a cellist and Joe played piano. This was a source of great pride to Max. Every one of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren have also learned music. Max himself finally took up cello lessons in his 70's.

As well as music, he loved building, renovating & making things. He was very inventive and creative. He crafted a beautiful wooden rocking cradle for his 1st great-grandchild in 1982, and since then, it has been passed from one to the next grandchild for each of their children.

Max doted on his grandchildren, loved to hold them and nurse them, and especially particular about their care when they were ill.

He was happiest at the many family simchas and joyfully celebrated many bar & bat mitzvahs, weddings & brits with his grandchildren & great-grandchildren. Even after they were grown and married, he would arrive at their homes with boxes full of fruits & vegetables, having filled the boot of his station wagon at the market to make sure they all ate well. He had become a vegetarian during the 60's and delighted in providing all the family with fresh vegies & fruit.

Max knew he would live a long life and at the age of 95 went to apply for a long-term loan at the bank. He was most upset at being refused! He was extremely determined and independent, living on his own until the age of 100.

At this age he was still seen daily, walking up & down Glenhuntly Rd. without even a walking stick, stopping in & chatting to his favourite shopkeepers along the way.

People would ask him his secret to his good health & old age and he'd reply, “I love everyone”. Then he'd say, ”Look. I'm 100 and still dancing” and he'd do his little shuffle!

On his 102nd birthday, in February 2004, he had a party and visitors came all day. His excitement grew with each new visitor who wished him Happy Birthday. As always, he celebrated with music and dancing.

In his later years, an extraordinary man, Albert, became his carer and Max loved & appreciated him very much. Albert's devotion, kindness and patience were in every way, truly extraordinary.

In late August 2004 Max fell and broke his leg, requiring an operation. Even in the emergency ward at the hospital, he was heard singing his favourite song, ‘Daisy, Daisy'!

(Coincidentally, his own father fell and broke his leg at the age of 98 and passed away shortly after).

Although the operation was successful and Max was walking again very soon afterwards and had even been discharged from the hospital, he passed away late in the evening of September 21st, 2004.

He lived a long, happy and interesting life, full of adventure and humour. Our memories of him will live on and his stories will continue to be retold.

Written by Max Segal's granddaughter, Alida Segal.