Seth Richard Axelrod

Seth Richard Axelrod, 51, of Middlefield, CT, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 25, 2022, after battling a rare form of cancer, chondrosarcoma, for more than eight years. Seth was a compassionate clinician, a loving husband, and caring father, who is survived by his wife, Rebecca and their two children, Emma and Levi; his three brothers: David (Molly) Ha’ivri of Kfar Tapuach, Israel, Amichai (Kristen) Axelrod of Vancouver, WA, and Daniel Axelrod of Las Vegas, NV; his mother and stepfather, Iris and Leonard Klinger, of Lake Wales, FL; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Seth is predeceased by his father, Jon Axelrod.

Seth was born in Far Rockaway, NY, lived for three years in Israel, and graduated high school in Oceanside, NY. He received his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and went on to complete a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky, where he met the love of his life, Rebecca. Seth and Rebecca moved to Connecticut in 1997 for his internship at Connecticut Valley Hospital.

Seth began working at Yale University as a postdoctoral fellow in 1998, and in 2003 Seth became the Director of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) track of the Intensive Outpatient Program at Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital, where he dedicated himself to saving the lives of suicidal patients, among the most stigmatized and deeply suffering to receive mental health care. In doing so, he taught and mentored over 100 trainees in DBT, who have since carried his legacy forward nationwide. In 2019, he was given the Cindy Sanderson Outstanding Educator award, the highest honor for teaching DBT.

Throughout his life, Seth found joy in singing. He performed in musicals, choirs, a cappella groups, madrigal ensembles, and operas, including many productions with Connecticut Opera and one performance at Lincoln Center. He and Rebecca met at an opera and sang together for 29 years. He was actively involved with his synagogue, Congregation Adath Israel, served as ritual committee chair and president, and sang in the choir. He was a master Scrabble player and enjoyed playing cards and board games with family and friends. He put a priority on family time and adored his children. Seth made a point of learning about and supporting their interests, and made sure they always knew he loved them and was proud of the amazing people they are.

Funeral services for Seth will be held at Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, 8 Broad Street, Middletown, at 11:00AM, Thursday, January 27, followed by burial in the Adath Israel Cemetery on Pine Street in Middletown. All who have been vaccinated and boosted, show no symptoms, and are willing to wear a mask throughout the service are invited to join us in person. The service will be shared via a synagogue Zoom link for those who wish to join us from a distance. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Seth’s honor to Feeding America (https://www.feedingamerica.org/) or your local food bank.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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