Deceased Members–2009

In Memory of Harvey Joseph Saffeir

Harvey Joseph Saffeir, 79, of West Hartford, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2009. Saffeir was born on Nov. 17, 1929, in New York and grew up in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn, New York. He attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn and received a New York State Scholarship to Cornell University. He graduated from Cornell in 1951 with a major in mathematics.

Saffeir joined Travelers Insurance Company in 1951 and served as an actuary in the Corporate Actuarial Department for 13 years. He was a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He left Travelers in 1964 to become a consultant with Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby, Inc. in Philadelphia. He returned to Travelers in 1971 and was named vice president and actuary in the corporate actuarial and control department. In 1973, he was appointed to direct the newly-formed Audit Department, and served as senior vice president of the Audit Department until his retirement in 1993. His career at Travelers spanned more than 40 years and he was often described by colleagues as "the conscience of the company." A man of great independence, Saffeir was nonetheless considered a best friend to many. He was admired for his integrity, honesty, keen intellect, clever humor and ability to keep a crowd captivated by his stories. His interest in and knowledge of American politics and the stock market were unparalleled.

A devoted husband, Saffeir was married to Lois Marshall Allen Saffeir for 46 years until her death in 2005. He will be missed by his two daughters, Tsipora Zerbib Borger of Brooklyn, New York and Jo D. Saffeir of Maine; son-in-law Kristian Carr of Maine; grandchildren: Pinchas, Shimon, Shlomo, Rivka, Leah, Chava, Yitzhak, Miriam and Chana Zerbib, Rachel Badach, Yael Mazouz, Jesse and Lindley Saffeir; and great-grandsons Ezra and Avishai Badach. A private burial was held with Saffeir's immediate family on April 17, and a gathering in celebration of his life was held in September 2009.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Colon Cancer Alliance, 1200 G Street, NW, Ste. 800, Washington, D.C. 20005, www.ccalliance.org.