Mark Broxmeyer, real estate magnate, dies at 61

Mark Broxmeyer, a real estate businessman, political fundraiser and Long Island's largest residential landlord, died Tuesday after battling pancreatic cancer for more than a year. He was 61.

Broxmeyer, of Upper Brookville, founded the Commack-based Fairfield Properties, with nearly 6,000 apartments, said his son, Michael Broxmeyer, 36, of Melville.

The family business began in 1974 when Broxmeyer bought a 256-unit apartment building in Commack that was in a good location but poorly managed, said his son.

"He didn't have much at all. He took a risk on himself and it paid off," said Michael Broxmeyer, who joined the company in 1995 as a partner.

Born on Jan. 5, 1949, in Westchester, Broxmeyer received his bachelor's degree from Hofstra College. After graduation, he stayed on Long Island and started the real estate business, which his mother and two brothers helped him manage.

In addition to raising money for Republican candidates in local, state and national campaigns, including those of George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Arizona Sen. John McCain, Broxmeyer tried to buy the major league baseball team that was the Montreal Expos.

He served on several boards, including those of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, the United Nations Development Corp. and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. He was also the national chairman of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA), a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

"For more than a decade, Mark was the rock upon which JINSA rested. His selfless commitment to the organization's welfare and his unparalleled, visionary leadership brought JINSA to new heights," said Tom Neumann, the group's executive director.

In addition to his son, Broxmeyer is survived by his wife, Tracy Broxmeyer of Upper Brookville; two other sons, Evan Broxmeyer of Kings Park and Daniel Broxmeyer of Upper Brookville; two daughters, Rebecca Broxmeyer and Marissa Broxmeyer, both of Upper Brookville; his mother, Murial Broxmeyer of Port Washington; a brother, Gary Broxmeyer of Upper Brookville, and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by another brother, Neal Broxmeyer.

Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Temple Or Elohim in Jericho. Broxmeyer will be buried at New Montefiore Cemetery in Farmingdale.

In lieu of flowers, his family asked that donations be made to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, directing the money to go to Dr. Robert Fine Research Fund.