Buchbinder & Warren co-founder, Norman Buchbinder, dies.

Norman Buchbinder, co-founder of management and brokerage firm, Buchbinder & Warren, has died at the age of 84.

Buchbinder, who had been struggling with failing health, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, January 20, in his home in the Upper Westside of Manhattan.

Known as a man with a true zest for life, Buchbinder lived his life to the full, traveling around the globe with his family and friends, raising thoroughbred horses and enjoying art, Frank Sinatra and, at the top of the list, New York City real estate.

A life-long resident of New York City, Buchbinder was a major force in the early efforts to improve the city and life for its residents.

In the late 80s, he was a founding member of the city's very first Business Improvement District--the 14th Street BID--along with Robert Walsh, now Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services.

The BID was hailed for rejuvenating the business and cultural life of Union Square and when it later partnered with the Local Development Corporation (LDC) to create the Union Square Partnership, Buchbinder remained a member of the Board of Directors. He did the same with the Village Alliance, which is the Eighth Street BID, founding it, and serving as president.

In 1958, Buchbinder and his partner, Eugene Warren, co-founded their eponymous firm. "It was a 50- year partnership that started on a handshake, We lived by that rule and we managed over 150 buildings on that rule," said Warren, adding that the business will continue under the name of Buchbinder & Warren.

Buchbinder was part of the first wave of real estate savvy businessmen who converted the city's rental properties to cooperatives and condominiums, creating greater stability and economic promise for tenants, landlords and the city at large.

According to his friends and colleagues, he took on each endeavor with a passion and love that was undeniably genuine, touching the life of so many around him, even with the most simple of gestures.

"He was an incredible man, a visionary who was committed to the people of this city and his family, deeply," said Bill Abremsons, Buchbinder's son-in-law, who is currently director of the brokerage department at Buchbinder & Warren. "He was truly a father to me." Over 1,500 people attended Buchbinder's funeral at the Riverside Memorial Chapel last week, many of whom had to stand in the street. "Many people thought of him as a mentor, not just in real estate, but in life. He loved young people," said Rosemary Paparo, director of the management department at Buchbinder & Warren.

Paparo stated that during Shiva, people from all walks paid their respects to Buchbinder, including their office building guard. "Mr Buchbinder respected everyone and understood that knowing the name of the man who cleaned the floors in the building was just as important as the name of the man who owned the building," said Paparo.

"He was the kind of guy--thoughtful, caring, a true gentlemen--who left a long lasting mark in this great city," said Commissioner Walsh, who delivered a eulogy at the funeral.

Buchbinder, who recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary, is survived by his wife Mae; daughters Lori and Susan; son-in-laws Bill and Ray McDanial; four grandchildren Jack, David, Jade and Mia; and a group of about six childhood friends he remained close to for 80 years.