ROBERT CONGEL

CONGEL--Robert J. Founder and Chairman of Syracuse, NY-based commercial real estate firm The Pyramid Companies, died peacefully on February 3. He was 85 years old. Mr. Congel was a third generation Italian-American with humble roots and an entrepreneur at heart. After receiving his education from Fordham University in 1958, Mr. Congel borrowed $175 from his grandfather to form a construction company. A natural entrepreneur and quick study, he rose swiftly within the ranks of the construction industry. He then parlayed his early success into real estate by developing warehouses and small retail centers. In 1970, Mr. Congel founded commercial real estate development firm The Pyramid Companies. Mr. Congel was forever grateful for the help that was given to him by fellow shopping center industry pioneers Herb Simon and his brother Melvin as he began to develop shopping centers in the 1970's. Through Mr. Congel's visionary leadership, Pyramid clustered its developments in the densely populated northeastern area of the United States, and created nearly 26 million square feet of commercial space throughout New York State and Massachusetts. Pyramid's flagship property - Destiny USA in Syracuse - is today New York's largest shopping center and the sixth largest in the U.S. attracting visitors from all over the globe. Under his watch, The Pyramid Companies became recognized as an industry leader on multiple fronts through hard work, innovation, persistence and determination. Pyramid was one of the first developers to emulate the pioneering approach of incorporating dining, entertainment and retail under one roof with its Palisades Center "ThEATery" concept in 1998; the first to successfully integrate big- box retailers like Target and Home Depot with traditional retailers such as Macy's and Lord and Taylor inside an enclosed shopping center. Though exceptionally driven and focused on his professional career, family was always a source of pride for Mr. Congel. Married for nearly 60 years, Mr. Congel and his wife Suzanne have five children and twenty-one grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Suzanne, children Beth (Doug) Ulrich, Scott (Emily) Congel, Mark (Meaghan) Congel, Sheila (Eric) Goetzmann, Stephen (Alexandra) Congel, sister Elizabeth (Bob), nephew Joe (Diana) Goethe, all of his grandchildren and countless friends and business associates. For the past 13 years, Pyramid's portfolio of 14 enclosed shopping centers, has been led by Mr. Congel's son, Stephen J. Congel, who continues to serve as CEO of the company. "My father was a force of nature, a true visionary who saw many of his dreams realized, while challenging us constantly with many more to fulfill. He changed many lives, and perhaps none more so than my own," said Congel. "Having been his son and also having the privilege of working with him for so many years, I know he was most proud of all the people he employed and whose careers he helped along the way. He gained far more joy and pride from the people that made up our company, as well as all the Pyramid alumni, than any building he ever built," said Congel, adding that his father devoted significant time and resources to philanthropic causes. Mr. Congel served on the boards of several civic and business organizations, including: Lifetime Trustee at Syracuse University, Christian Brothers Academy, the Metropolitan Development Association, the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, as well as Fays Drug Company, and Unity Mutual Life Insurance Company. Mr. Congel has been recognized for his commitment to the environment and community: Environmental Quality Award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Greening USA, the US Green Building Council, the American Cancer Society, the Longhouse Council's Distinguished Citizen of the Year Honoree, the Onondaga Historical Association Medal, and the Rhea Eckel Clark Memorial Citizenship Award from the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board.