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Ira Clair Obituary
Pound Ridge - February 27, 1953 - January 12, 2021
Ira S. Clair, age 67, an accomplished judge and attorney, dies peacefully at his home in Pound Ridge, NY, surrounded by his loving family.
Ira was born in Philadelphia, Pa. to Harriet and Herbert Clair He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and Case Western Reserve Law School.
Ira was a founding partner at Clair and Gjertsen, Esqs, where he practiced law for over 40 years. He was an attorney of record in scores of reported cases concerning mortgage foreclosure and landlord tenant law. Ira served as the Chairman of the Westchester Bar Corporations Committee and was Vice President of the Magistrates Committee. In addition, he presided as a Small Claims Assessment Review Hearing Officer, Court appointed Referee and Guardian Ad Litem. He was especially proud to serve as Town Justice of Pound Ridge from 2013 to present. He was also a board member of the Pound Ridge HIstorical Society.
Ira was an avid lover of nature, hockey, American history, fly-fishing, and Weimaraners. On Thursday nights, he could be found on the small ice at Rye Playland playing what became known as "Ira hockey".
He is survived by his wife, Rita, his two daughters Lisa and Sara, his son-in-law David Commander, and his weimaraners Lilly and Grayson. He is predeceased by his son, John.
Donations can be made to:
The American Brain Tumor Association
www.ABTA.org
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Memories and Condolences
for Ira Clair
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John Matarazzo
January 10, 2025
Ira was a lifesaver for me. I will always remember him fondly. Truly a good man.
John Matarazzo
January 9, 2024
What made Ira great was not his mastery of the Law. Although he truly had that; It was his concern and care for other people that made him great.
Robert johnston
January 6, 2024
Ira and I spent three years together in law school ar Case Western in Cleveland, Ohio. Rita was a constant support for both of us, and we successfully finished school and passed our respective bar exams. Law school was a love/hate relationship, but Ira was an excellent student and together we made it bearable.
Charlene & Kazuki Takeuchi
November 5, 2023
My condolences on the loss of Ira, we knew him back in 1990´s when he represented us successfully, essentially saving our family. He was a level person, great & generous spirit, and wonderful sense of humor. May he rest in peace.
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Marcos Otero
March 19, 2023
I played hockey with Ira for about 30 years. Great Man. Miss his goon way of playing but it was all out of love. My Condolences Miss you Dude
Robert Johnston
March 18, 2023
Thought of Ira today when FDU won a tournament game. I was heartbroken to find out he had passed away. I am so sorry. Hope you are OK. God bless Ira, he was a great friend during our Cleveland days at Case Western.
John Matarazzo
June 24, 2021
Please accept my condolences. Ira was a great help to me at a time when I most needed it. Help was instrumental in getting me a mortgage and saving my home from foreclosure. I paid off the mortgage today and wanted to tell him the good news but was shocked and sadden to see the obituary on the loHud website. May he rest in eternal peace. I know the good Lord has him safely in hand.
Ward Saxton
June 3, 2021
I will remember Ira from a day when we were walking out of court. Ira was someone I knew in business only on the phone and via email, but when I introduced myself, we had a great conversation where he showed his great warmth and kindness. Warmth and kindness are rare qualities in the legal field. I will miss Ira, but I am grateful for knowing him.y
Robert Michaels
May 10, 2021
I do not remember Ira, but I have held on to this hockey puck for at least 30 years, maybe longer. I could have met him at a closing. I was a real estate broker in Manhattan. For the first time in all these years I looked up his name, and saw he had just passed away. My deepest condolences.
Edward Knipl
January 19, 2021
Ira was a nice guy. He made a difference in people's lives. We will miss him.
Dylan G Rupp
January 19, 2021
It's hard to find the right words to say here, but Ira gave me a chance and took me under his wing when no one else would. He was a brilliant legal mind and a joy to work with, so easygoing and friendly. He was a credit to the profession and great to be around. I owe him an immense debt, and wish Rita all the best in these trying times.
Darren Johnston
January 17, 2021
A kind soul and friendly spirit. May your hearts be filled with joyful memories of a life well lived.
Rusty Cappadona
January 16, 2021
I played hockey with Ira for nearly 20 years in his pick up league. Ira was so much fun to play with - always making a quiet joke with a fun smirk on his face. The pick up league continues and will always be known as “Ira hockey”. And no game will be complete without a trademark “Ira goal” snapped into the net right as the goalie drops the puck. Rest In Peace my friend.
Ellen Svitek
January 16, 2021
My cousin Ira was larger than life. He was fun to be with and loved his life! He was always willing to help everyone.
He was an avid fly fisherman, he loved golf, Weimaraners, history, Ice Hockey, good food, travelling and most of all his family. We grew up next door to each other and made plans to retire to Florida together! I am lucky to have have had him in my life for 67 years. I will miss him everyday!
David Ryan
January 16, 2021
He was truly deserving of the title YOUR HONOR. I have never met a finer human being. The entire staff and every member of the Pound Ridge Police Department will miss him and we send our love to Rita and the entire Clair family
RIP BUDDY
Marcos Otero
January 16, 2021
REST IN PARADISE IN THE ARMS OF OUR LORD
Joe Paterno
January 16, 2021
Joe Paterno
January 16, 2021
Joe Paterno
January 16, 2021
I played hockey with Ira for 26 years at Playland. We became great friends. I will always love him.
Ira Hockey will still live on Thursday nights! His name will live with us for the rest of our lives. Joe Pa
Starr Nass
January 16, 2021
Ira was a genuinely nice person. A smart attorney (we did a bit of work together) and dedicated Judge for the Town of Pound Ridge. Most of all, he loved Rita and his family. I was very sad to hear of his passing. I am so sorry and I know you have beautiful memories of him.S
Christine Gagliardi Arnold
January 15, 2021
I met Ira 25 years ago knocking on his door and selling title Insurance. As I got to know him over the years, I found a client but most importantly a friend as well. Ira was always smiling and excited to talk about his family and how he enjoyed life with his family. His smile was larger than life and so was Ira. Rest In Peace my friend
Amy Boymel
January 14, 2021
It’s with great sadness that I send my deepest condolences to Rita and Ira’s family. We grew up together, and from kindergarten through high school I was fortunate to share lots of wonderful times with Ira and his family. He accomplished great things in his life, loved his family dearly and remained a dear friend. May his memory be for a blessing.
Peter Kolson
January 14, 2021
Our love goes out to the Clair family at this time. Ira was blessed with a great family and clearly had a zest for life. Fondly recall many family visits to the Clair ‘compound ‘ on Harston La. Rest In Peace Ira, a life well lived. Peter & Charlotte Kolson.
Ira and Ric 2013 NYC. A wonderful evening together d
Nancy Clair
January 14, 2021
With broken hearts we send our love to Rita and the family. Ira will forever be in our hearts. Love, Nancy and Ric
Larry and Marilyn Brotmann
January 14, 2021
Our sincerest condolences on Ira's passing. He was a delight to be with, a dispenser of great wisdom and a great contributor to our Pound Ridge community. He will be missed by all who knew and had the honor of working with him.
Jane Maxey-White Loretta Maxey
January 14, 2021
We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Ira. He was a wonderful neighbor in East Hampton, for many years and will be greatly missed.
Danny and Amy Tavares
January 14, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to have met him.
Steven Anello
January 14, 2021
As a client for many years, I was always impressed with Ira’s knowledge of the law and the way he went about representing me and my many corporate relationships. More impressive to me was Ira the man. One of honesty and integrity and great humor. He will be missed. God bless,
Dainis Saulitis
January 14, 2021
As a neighbor in East Hampton I would like to say how sorry I am to hear of his demise.
He was well liked and I feel sorry for his dogs and his family.
Jerry Gjertsen
January 14, 2021
I am lucky to have known Ira both personally and professionally for over 25 years. He was a family man, possessed a high character, a strong intellect, was witty and charming. He was always willing to help others, me included. He will be missed. Please accept my condolences.
Dale Cominsky
January 13, 2021
I am a high school friend of Ira’s and as I think of him now I picture his big, warm smile and great curly hair. Looking at his Facebook page and reading tributes, I see how much love he had in his life, how accomplished he was in his career and how much others deemed him a wonderful friend. He was truly blessed and I hope his memory will always be a blessing to his loved ones. So sorry for your loss.
Eric Coplin
January 13, 2021
So sorry to hear of your loss. Ira and I grew up in the same neighborhood and we were one year apart in school. Ira was a terrific guy and my condolences to the family.
Eric Coplin
Chris Zimmerman
January 13, 2021
We played our hearts out on that tiny little rink. Ira Hockey, bunch of hacks with a love of the sport and he pulled us together. The world needed more time with Ira. He was just a great all around guy. So sorry to hear this news.
Bill Bliss
January 13, 2021
A letter recently sent to Ira from a grateful client:
Dear Ira,
Over many opportunities during the past decade, you have been a wonderful presence in our lives as you have helped three generations of our family at significant moments of change -- the sale of my parents' home in Yonkers, our purchase of a home for them in Irvington, a condo transaction for Mary and me, and our daughter's purchase of a home in Hastings-on-Hudson (with their newborn crawling on the table at closing). Our time with you during all these moments has always been memorable for your positive outlook, your great sense of humor, and your camaraderie with everyone around the table.
If attorneys can have a fan club, you should consider us among your biggest fans. Mary and I will always be grateful to you for making these important transitions for our family members easy, memorable, and fun. (And on a personal note, I thank you for rekindling my childhood love of Tastykakes.)
Our warmest appreciation to you for all you have done and for the wonderful person you are.
Sincerely,
Bill Bliss and Family
David Kramer
January 13, 2021
We grew up together from Jr High in Springfield to Fairleigh Dickinson U...We could have written a book on the fun we had through the early years...
One of our greatest experiences was spending a summer together working at the Mt Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire when we were 17..
My condolences to all of the Clair family.
Paul Kramer
January 13, 2021
Great friend from Enfield Jr High, Springfield High School and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Ira and my twin David brought the love of hockey from Massachusetts and IRA became a huge Flyers fan!! We spent our lives growing up together outdoors. I would like to pass on my love to all his cousins who were the best friends and nicest people you could ever imagine! Paul
Susan Schwartz/ Aaron
January 12, 2021
Heartbroken to hear of Ira’s passing . I have the best childhood memories any Cousin could have ! He always made me laugh. Gone way to soon .
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