Richard Gresalfi, Northport attorney, dies at 51

Richard Gresalfi might have become a doctor - if he could have tolerated the sight of blood.

Instead, he turned his biochemistry background and scientific mind to the law, ultimately becoming managing partner at Kenyon & Kenyon, a prominent intellectual-property firm in Manhattan.

Gresalfi, 51, of Northport, died Wednesday in San Francisco while on a business trip. The cause of death is unknown, according to his wife of 26 years, Jayne Gresalfi.

She said her husband had an outsized personality matched by his ever-present wide smile.

"He was the memory maker," she said. "When he walked into the room, he filled it with personality."

Richard Gresalfi was born July 20, 1959, in Topeka, Kan. Gresalfi's father was in the Air Force so the family moved often, finally settling in Lake Grove.

He earned a bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University in 1981 and a law degree from George Washington University Law School in 1984.

After law school, he signed on with Kenyon & Kenyon, and in 2007 became managing partner.

"He was considered a perfectionist in everything he did," said Michael Loughnane, a partner at the firm who knew Gresalfi for 23 years. "He worked every fine detail out in his own head in every case he worked on. That was truly his strength."

In his off hours, Gresalfi enjoyed boating and playing guitar.

His sister, Corinne Plastino of Manhattan, said Gresalfi's generosity was legendary among his family and friends.

"It was always what he was doing for somebody else. Maybe that's why he was so happy," she said.

In addition to his wife and sister, Gresalfi is survived by his children, Stephanie of Washington, D.C., Christopher of Northport, and Kelly, who is attending college in Gambier, Ohio; his parents, Carol and Tom Gresalfi of Lake Grove; and brothers Tom of Greensboro, N.C., and Larry of Bay Shore.

Visiting will be today, 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., at the Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home in Northport. A funeral Mass will be celebrated tomorrow at 10 a.m. in St. Philip Neri Church in Northport. Burial will be in Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.