Alan D Segars

On Saturday, May 4, 2019, Alan Douglas Segars, loving husband, father, brother and grandfather, passed away at home after a heroic five year battle with prostate cancer, surrounded by his family and friends. Alan passed 8 weeks after the birth of his second granddaughter Ella and a few weeks shy of his 75th birthday.   Alan was born May 31, 1944 in Philadelphia, PA to William Curtis Segars and Evelyn Stitt.  At 6 months old, he went to live with his paternal grandmother, Vivian Taylor Segars, in Asbury Park, NJ. She raised him in a household full of love and strong values. His cousin Theodora Evans, 4 years his senior, was his playmate, confidante and big sister. Alan was an avid all-around athlete, excelling in track. His loving home and the Asbury Park Boys Club provided the foundation for Alan’s commitment to education and civic leadership, his distinguished style, his persistent pursuit of excellence, and his passion for living life. He earned the nickname “Book” for always studying when his friends called him out to play.  The Asbury Boys Club named him Boy of the Year in 1955.  In 2005, he was inducted into the Asbury Park High School Hall of Fame as one of the school’s most distinguished students. In 2012, because of his consistent support, Alan was inducted into the Asbury Park Hall of Fame. 

Upon graduation from Asbury Park High School in 1962, Alan entered the ROTC program at City College of New York where he was a member of The National Society of Pershing Rifles. In 1966, Alan received his BA in Economics and then enlisted in the U.S. Army, at the height of the war in Vietnam.  He served in the Finance Corps where he rose to the rank of First Lieutenant, setting the stage for his career.  After receiving his MBA from Baruch College in 1973, Alan went on to soar on Wall Street. In 1975, he received the Black Achievers in Industry Award from the Harlem Branch of the YMCA of Greater New York for serving as a motivator and pace setter for Black Youth.  In 1979, he became a Chartered Financial Analyst. 

Over his 50-year career, Alan served as a senior equity portfolio manager and specialist, head of fixed-income management, senior fixed-income portfolio manager and equity analyst. He became known for his innate ability to interact with clients, new business prospects, consultants and brokers.  His analytical capability with respect to global economics and capital markets was unsurpassed. He was an astute financier serving in leadership positions for ING Investment Management, Grigsby Branford Capital Partners, Bank of New York/Irving Trust, Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, and Anchor Corporation. As a finance thought leader, he authored numerous articles for financial trade publications.  Alan brought his illustrious career to a close when he retired from Provident Bank in 2017 where he served as Chief Investment Officer 

In 1984, Alan met and then subsequently married the love of his life, Yvonne Carol Smith.  As evidenced by 35 years of commitment and dedication to each other, their beautiful and successful children, and their warm and loving home, where friends and guests are always welcome, their love for each other was perfect.  Alan was the most gracious host, happy to serve all that he encountered and do whatever he could to comfort and entertain them and add value to their lives.

Alan had a contagious joy and zest for life. He was brilliant, kind, spirit filled, humble and non-judgmental, the consummate gentleman. Alan was a loving and doting father who went over the top doing anything and everything for his children. Nothing bought him more joy than spending time with his family.  He was lover of jazz and singing was his passion. On many evenings after work, Yvonne would have to pry the microphone out of his hand. He was a work-out fanatic. He ran and worked out and played tennis almost every day! And try as they may, no one could keep up with Alan Segars on the dance floor. Alan was a world traveler, but his favorite place to vacation with Yvonne was Hawaii, where they celebrated their wedding anniversary last September paddle boarding with tiger sharks along the shores of Maui. 

If you had the privilege of spending time in Alan’s man cave, you left having been mentored, schooled on some important life topic, knowledgeable about some jazz classics, and inspired to tackle whatever challenge you were facing. Alan blessed many with his wisdom, pragmatic advice and peaceful spirit.

Alan was innately metaphysical and spiritual, and rejuvenated himself with daily meditation. He thrived on sunny days by his swimming pool or on a beach. He lived each day to the fullest.  Alan wrote a song a few years ago that is a testament to his faith.  “I’ve got the spirit. I’ve got the feeling you want me to have, oh Lord. I’ve got the spirit. I’ve found your message. And I know my life is restored. I’m gone. I’m movin’ on to the house of the Lord.”

Alan is survived by Yvonne Segars, his loving wife, best friend and soul mate, his daughters Melisa Segars Ferrell and Alana Segars Ross, his son, Douglas Wesley Segars, two granddaughters, Janay Nicole Delma Ferrell and Ella Dax Ross; his favorite cousin, Theodora Evans, two sisters, Kim Stewart (David Stewart) and Karen McClow, son-in-law Dax-Devlon Ross, sister-in-law Deborah Rodd, two brothers in laws, Harry T. Smith and Anthony D. Smith, and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren and dear friends.

Alan will be missed but his legacy will be memorialized. The family is honoring his life and unselfish character by establishing the Alan Segars Memorial Scholarship Fund to recognize and benefit outstanding members of the Asbury Park Boys and Girls Club. If you would like to make a donation, please visit the following link: https://www.firstgiving.com/event/35307/Alan-Segars-Memorial-Scholarship

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alan D Segars, please visit our floral store.