Seymour "Sy" Norman Black

Seymour N. Black (November 28, 1928 - November 21, 2021)

Loving husband, father, stepfather, and Grandfather Seymour "Sy" Black died peacefully one week short of his ninety-third birthday.  Born in Detroit, he moved to California at a young age, graduating from James A. Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, then UCLA.  He was a proud UCLA alum and never missed a home game at the Rose Bowl for as long as he was able to walk.  

A fine golfer, Sy enjoyed four seasons on the UCLA varsity golf team, becoming one of the top amateur golfers in California.  One of his best memories was shooting a 66 at Pebble Beach, beating Harvie Ward, winner of both the U.S. Amateur and British Amateur tournaments at the time.    Sy continued to play throughout his life until the last few years. 

After teaching elementary school in Baldwin Park, Sy entered the world of insurance.  He was a successful agent, becoming a member of the American College of Insurance, MONY's Hall of Fame, and the American Society of CLU and ChFC.  He served as President of the Orange County/Long Beach CLU Chapter.

Sy served his country during the Korean War as a medic in the U.S. Coast Guard.

A resident of Newport Beach for almost fifty years, he lived the last several decades in The Bluffs and volunteered much of his time to the PGA Masters and his local election site.

Sy was known for his witty comments, a favorite being his farewell motto:  "Be good.  If you can't be good, have fun.  And if you have fun, be careful."  We will miss hearing him send us off with these words.  

He is survived by his second wife, Barbara Cory Black, son David Black, daughter Kathleen Black Canter, stepson Andrew K. Stevens, stepdaughter Margaret P. Stevens, grandsons Jeremy and Aaron Canter and step-grandsons Joseph Stevens, Alexander Meadow, and Jacob Meadow.

Interment will be a private ceremony at the Pacific View Cemetery on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

Contributions may be made to the Garfield Alumni Foundation (for the James A. Garfield High School Senior Scholarship Fund in East Los Angeles), the Marines’ Memorial Association & Foundation in San Francisco, and the Coast Guard Foundation.

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