Seth Franklin Kaufman

Seth F. Kaufman, 75, a long-time resident of the Upper West Side of Manhattan, community activist and lawyer, passed away peacefully with his wife and two sons by his side on December 19, 2023. Seth had been in failing health for several years. The cause of death was complications from surgery.

Brooklyn born and raised, Seth lived most of his adult life on West 79th Street in Manhattan. He was active in the West 79th Street Block Association, serving as treasurer for many years, and coaching for the West Side Little League where his sons played. Coaching was a favorite activity. Later, after he could no longer work due to failing eyesight, he devoted hours to local causes, including the Art Students League and several organizations dedicated to preserving the neighborhood's character. In the early 1980's, Seth was a leader in the well-publicized landmarking battle over the Mt. Neboh synagogue on West 79th St. Through the efforts of Seth and other local activists, the building was landmarked, but ultimately demolished due to a hardship ruling when no replacement tenant was found.

Seth was a graduate of Wesleyan University Class '70 and then Brooklyn Law School, class of '75. While at Wesleyan, Seth was active in politics and in the anti-Vietnam War movement. During his senior year, Seth was the president of the College Body Committee and was on the Student Judiciary Board, the university's ethics council. He loved his time there and made many lifelong friends there.

After law school, Seth worked for the city's Department of Investigation (DOI), which he thoroughly enjoyed. One of his great loves was rooting out bad guys and he was a key player in the arrest of NYC's largest payoff corruption case at the time. In the book City for Sale, authors Jack Newfield and Wayne Barrett stated "DOI's Seth Kaufman, a tenacious digger whose decade of work at the department had equipped him with a mental list of every suspect city bureaucrat and clubhouse pol, used Meissner's letter as a road map." Tenacious is an accurate descriptor of Seth. After leaving DOI, Seth practiced white collar criminal defense in the private sector where his determined, methodical, and effective work continued.

Seth was the proud father of sons David, who resides in Manhattan, and Rob, who resides in Changsha China. He adored his wife, Pat, his wife of 41 years. They shared a wonderful sense of humor, keeping each other and friends laughing with their clever, affectionate quips. All who knew him will remember his wit and his warmth and his wisdom. After 2020, Seth and Pat moved to Kinderhook, New York and later to Valatie, New York.

Seth's curiosity fueled a strong interest in politics and public affairs. His reliable sense of integrity, fairness and passion for justice were always with him.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Seth's name to Selfhelp Community Services in New York https://selfhelp.net/. Seth's mother and grandmother both fled Germany in 1938, and Selfhelp is dedicated to assisting those who fled Nazi Germany. Condolences can be sent to P.O. Box 55 Valatie NY 12184.

Funeral services were private. The family received guests at home at 200 West 79th Street in Manhattan on Friday, December 22 from 1 to 7 and at home in Valatie on Tuesday, December 26 from 1 to 7.