Jonathan B. Seale

Jonathan B. Seale, 82, of Worcester passed away peacefully on Friday, December 12th at Knollwood Nursing Center. 

Born in Ohio to the Reverend George E. Seale and Nancy (Brown) Seale, Jon’s early years brought him from Ohio to Hawaii and eventually to Worcester when George became the minister at Adams Square Church and Nancy led the choir. Jon’s father was a Congregationalist pastor with an ear for music and a deep desire for equity and peace and his mother had the voice of an angel and a generous and joyful spirit. Jon attended North High School and, after earning his undergraduate degree from Brown University, served for two years in the Peace Corps in Malawi and Nigeria. The experiences in Africa left a deep impact on Jon, and he returned with piles of handwritten letters and photographs that provided inspiration for short stories he wrote in his retirement. After the Peace Corps, he returned to central Massachusetts and met the love of his life, Helen (Leone) Seale, who he married in 1972; even after 53 blessed years together, they never stopped holding hands. Jon earned his MBA from Clark University and had a long and distinguished career as an administrator at Becker College, starting in the admissions office and retiring as the Vice President of Operations. 

Jon leaves behind his wife Helen, son Michael Seale and his wife Lisa, daughter Jennifer (Seale) Aitken and her husband Seth. Jon’s six grandchildren – Sarah, Matty, Emme, Shepherd, Harper, and Rex (and grandchildren-in-law Allison and Brandon) - all have stories of their Papa that likely involve ice cream, silly nicknames, golf, or fishing and hope to share those stories with his great-granddaughter, Scarlett, one day. Jon found great joy in family and spent many beautiful days with generations of Seale family and friends at “The Camp” on Styles Reservoir in Spencer. He and his brothers, Nathaniel Seale and Timothy Seale, recently celebrated a reunion that brought together all the Seale aunts, uncles, children, and grandchildren. Jon’s family rejoices with him as he reunites with his parents and his younger sister, Rebecca, in Heaven. 

Visitation will take place at Mercadante Funeral Home on Friday, December 19th from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 20th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Stroke Association in Jon’s name.