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Donald M. Halperin

Donald Halperin Obituary

HALPERIN-Donald M. of Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, 60, the youngest person ever to be elected to the NY State Senate at the age of 24, died June 26, 2006 at the Menorah Nursing Home and Hospital in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn after a valiant 22 month battle with cancer. Don Halperin was the beloved son of Gladys and the late Charles Halperin; devoted husband of Brenda; father of Jeremy and Rebecca and future-son-inlaw Joshua Burch; brother of Susan and Alan Gorman; and uncle of Sam Gorman. A graduate of Rutgers University and Brooklyn Law School, Don was a partner in the law firm of Kantor, Davidoff, Wolfe, Mandelker & Kass, PC. He represented the shorefront communities of Brooklyn in the NYS Senate for 23 years, with 13 years as the Ranking Democrat on Finance Committee. In 1993, former Governor Mario Cuomo named Don to the dual positions of Commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) and Housing ``Czar'', a cabinet level position. Don Halperin was the ultimate consensus builder, a skilled negotiator who had the uncanny ability to relate to all people, bringing the most diverse and opposing factions together to reach satisfying resolutions to thorny issues and debates. His sharp sense of humor and amazing wit earned him friends across the political spectrum. His work ethic and dedication to the people of New York earned him the respect of all his colleagues. As a result, Don Halperin had more bills signed into law than most members of the Minority Party in the Senate achieving a record 22 chapters in 1978. During his legislative career Don Halperin authored a law requiring braille and audio signals in elevators and was a leading advocate for child welfare and criminal justice. He authored the Rapid Transit Noise Code Act on elevated trains and subways. He was a pioneer in developing legislation to revamp the NYS Reverse Mortgage Law and wrote a law to provide grants to finance programs to reduce and prevent racial and cultural conflicts in schools. During his illness Don Halperin advocated and secured passage of significant affordable housing legislation, (Chapter 714 of the Laws of 2005) which provides more realistic evaluation and assessment rates on rental properties with restricted income issues. Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, June 28th, 2006 at 1PM at Parkside Memorial Chapel, 2576 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn. The family will sit shiva at their home, 118 Hastings Street, Wednesday evening; Thursday and Friday afternoon after 1PM, Saturday evening and Sunday and Monday afternoon starting at 1PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in Donald Halperin's name be made to: Shirley Applebaum Heart League; Menorah Nursing Home and Hospital; or the Lung Cancer Alliance.

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Published by New York Times on Jun. 28, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Halperin

19 Entries

David Rochman

June 15, 2007

Dear Halperin family,

I remember Donald as a dear person. I've loved him very much, and always appreciated everything he had done both in the States and on 1972 when he organized a donation for Tel Aviv university.
On 1972 he celebrated my Bar Mitzva with me in Israel, and we traveled together as a family to many places.

I had the honor of personally meeting Donald only twice, on 1972 and 1984 and I was impressed by his wisdom and the love expressed to him by the people of Brooklyn .

Don was married to my cousin Brenda. I wrote her after hearing the tragic news and offered her my condolences. Almost a year since he passed away, and I want you to know that the loss is still as great, and I shall always remember him as a most impressive man.

Carol Hall

July 17, 2006

Dear Family:

I was so sorry to hear of Donnie's passing. I first met Donie at PS 225 in seventh grade when he and I posed for newspaper pictures showing us petting animals. I liked and admired him a great deal.

Carol Klein Hall

Dona Brucker

July 6, 2006

Dear Gladys, Brenda, Susan, Jeremy, & Rebecca:

Andy and I were so saddened to hear of Donald's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We hope you find peace in your memories.

Dona Degenshein Brucker & Andrew Brucker- Scarsdale, New york

Roberta Rothblatt- Chaikin

July 4, 2006

When Don came to a Lincoln Reunion he wore his Lincoln jacket proudly.How many people can do that some 30 years after getting it.? I admired him and his career.From one caregiver to another, remember the good old days.The dreams you shared and all of your joint accomplishments like those wonderful children.Be strong for them. Sincerely, Roberta

Mark Millstein

July 3, 2006

Brenda, I was so saddened to hear of Donnys passing. I remember so vividly when we made that first advance stop in Bert Podells Campaign. And the times together in Donnys first Campaign.

My Sincerest Condolences.

Mark Millstein

Leslie Fox

July 2, 2006

Don was both a loyal son of Lincoln HS and of Rutgers.

May his memory be a blessing.

Tom Bello

July 2, 2006

Gladys,Brenda,Rebecca, and Jeremy,

I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Don's passing. We received the news all the way here in Hamburg, Germany. Don was an inspiration and mentor to me from the start of the early days in Brooklyn. It was truely a privilege to have spent time campaigning for him, and on his staff in Albany. I will always remember him as an honest and caring guardian of the public good who sought always to do the right thing. I will remember him also for his wonderful wit, laughter, generosity, and his loyalty as a friend. You are all in our prayers at this time.

Irwin Yanishefsky

July 2, 2006

Don's Family;

Sorry to hear of Donald's passing. We were in Hebrew School together and saw each other at the 40th HS reunion. I remember him as a nice guy. I tried to post a couple of photos.

Don's PS 225 8th grade grad photo

July 2, 2006

Don's Lincoln HS grad photo

July 2, 2006

Ira Goldman

July 2, 2006

Don always stood head and shoulders above the vast majority of members of the NY State Legislature I knew in 11 years working there. He was both a friend and a respected model of what a public servant should be.

Karen Kornreich

July 2, 2006

Dear Gladys: I don't know if you remember me from Pembroke Street but Donald and I were very good friends growing up. We lost touch with one another in the late 60's but I will always remember him as a warm and wonderful human being. I am deeply saddened by his premature passing. He was truly a great friend.

karen backer

July 2, 2006

To Brenda

I am so sorry to hear of Donny's loss. He disected my frog in biology for me in ALHS. I did the first Lincoln Reunion at his request. He will be missed. karen backer

Barbara Epstein

July 1, 2006

Dear Gladys, Brenda, Susan and Family,

I am so saddened in hearing of Donald's passing. He was a long-time friend and classmate and we worked together on the Lincoln reunion for our 40th. He gave so much time and help to anyone who asked.

I knew him from PS195 through High school and lived just a few doors away when you lived at 1714 Shore Blvd. (I was at 1704)Although our paths did not cross for many years we were able to pick up and feel the bond we used to have.

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy at this time. Remember the wonderful person Donald was and cherish those memories.

Barbara MILROD Epstein

Jeff Korman

June 29, 2006

Family of Don;

My most sincere condolences to you.

I served in the Senate with Don from 1990 though 1992 and regarded him as a friend and a trusted colleague.

richard zuckerman

June 28, 2006

gladys i am very sorry to hear about donald. it has been a long time. my heart goes out to you and susan and brenda and the children.

Randi Aronson

June 28, 2006

To Brenda and Family,

This is from Randi (Namowitz) Aronson. I am both shocked and saddened about Donald's passing. I'm not sure if you remember me, but I worked in Donald's very first campaign and several times thereafter. I just want to express my condolences to you, Gladys, and your children. I hope your wonderful memories will help during this difficult time.

Patti Cadrette (McVicker)

June 28, 2006

Family of Don,

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Don. I worked for Don when he was Commissioner and we saw each other frequently when he was in Albany these recent years. I will miss him and his wicked sense of humor. Don always spoke of his enduring love for Brenda and how pround he was of his kids. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will always remember Don with the greatest fondness.

Patti Cadrette (McVicker)

Wendy and Bob Dorf

June 28, 2006

Dear Brenda,Gladys,Jeremy, Rebecca and Josh,

We share your sorrow and also many fond memories. We are here for all of you....Wendy and Bob

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