GREGORY BARON

BARON--Gregory George. Mr. Gregory George Baron passed away peacefully at the age of 77 while with his loving wife, Linda Rubin, by his side, in New York City. Born February 25th, 1946, he passed on September 9th, 2023. Mr. Baron earned a Bachelor's Degree from New York University in 1968. He then took over SPG Painting and Contracting, Inc, from his father, Stanley Baron who founded it after emigrating with his wife Sophie to the United States from Russia in 1919. Stanley Baron brought Mr. Peter Ferrara into the business who partnered with Greg. Together, Baron and Ferrara built upon Stanley's success, growing and expanding SPG into a premier contracting company that maintained most of the very best buildings in New York City, and were especially active along Fifth Avenue, Park Avenue and some of the most well-known addresses in NYC. In the mid-1970's Baron and Ferrara began acquiring small, neglected tenement buildings on the Lower East Side. They made improvements to those properties and in doing so established a niche market which enabled them to build, yet again, a successful business as owners and developers. Baron and Ferrara met and partnered with Mr. Donald Capoccia in the very early 1980's for the redevelopment of a small building in what has become known as the East Village. That partnership was the genesis of what would become the company known today as BFC Partners. Mr. Baron handed over the reins of the company to his only son, Brandon Baron, but remained a trusted advisor and a familiar presence, much loved by the staff and partners. Today BFC is a prolific builder that has delivered close to 15,000 units of affordable, workforce, low income and supportive housing across New York City's five boroughs. The company largely focuses its efforts and resources on some of the City's most undervalued and overlooked neighborhoods including the East Village, East Harlem, the Williamsburg waterfront, Downtown Brooklyn, the North Shore of Staten Island and most recently Coney Island. Mr. Baron's first and forever love was that of his family and of being in their presence. He is survived by his incredible wife Linda, his loving son Brandon, his daughter-in-law Rachel and his absolutely adoring grandson Jesse. He was a wonderful and dedicated husband, father and a doting grandfather. He was most known and regarded by those close to him as that rare presence of calm and positivity. He was the rock on which all those who loved him leaned. Together, Greg and Linda were a true New York couple. They enjoyed the best of the city he loved, and never grew tired of its action and intensity. Rather, they were constantly energized by it. They loved dining out together and with their wide circle of friends. They relished family time, as well as binging out on Netflix and creating a constant stream of new private jokes. Weekends were spent in the Hamptons where they enjoyed boating, barbequing burgers, or "hambies" as he called them. Most of all they loved playing doubles tennis together among the lifelong camaraderie of their friends at the Sportime and Tennis & Sport Tennis Clubs. He was a fearless player at the net and boy could he volley. Greg`s family, friends and colleagues will miss him terribly but will always remain inspired and educated by his extraordinarily peaceful and reassuring demeanor. He leaves us with hearts overflowing with love and affection.