Former City Councilman, Democratic District Leader and longtime political operative Lew Fidler died yesterday. He was 62.
Fidler, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2014, was discovered unconscious in a Queens movie at around 11:30 p.m. Friday, according to various media outlets. He was taken to Elmhurst Hospital, where he died around 12:30 p.m. without ever regaining consciousness, sources said.
An autopsy has been scheduled to decide the cause of his death, but foul play is not suspected, according to media sources.
A graduate of Tilden High School in East Flatbush and the NYU Law School, Fidler served in the city council from 2002 to 2013 representing Bergen Beach, Canarsie, Georgetown, Flatlands, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Mill Island, Gerritsen Beach, Madison and Sheepshead Bay.
Until his death, Fidler was also the Male Democratic District leader and a leader of the 41st Assembly District Democrats Club, along with Lori Maslow and Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein. Fidler and the club regularly held the largest Toys for Tots giveaway for underprivileged children during the holiday season.
Tributes have poured in on Fidler from electeds ranging from U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer to Mayor Bill de Blasio to others.
“I join all Brooklynites in paying homage to our brother and friend Lew Fidler, and I extend my most heartfelt condolences to his loving wife Robin, his sons, and all in his family upon his passing,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
“Lew was of great assistance to me in my formative political years. As a result of his assistance, we later became colleagues, and during my tenure as borough president, he has served as a vital member of my team. As an elected official, Lew was truly committed to fighting long and hard for those he served. He always stood up for what he believed in, with true courage in his convictions. Lew was a man of high integrity and strong moral values, a devoted husband and father. He made a tremendous mark on New York City, and in particular the borough he proudly called home. Lew will missed, but never forgotten,” he added.
Kings County Democratic Party Chair Frank Seddio called Fidler one of his dearest friends.
“We’ve shared almost 40 years of politics together. I was his most avid supporter when he wanted to run for city council, and found him an outstanding partner in our universe of politics,” said Seddio. “He was one of the best campaign strategists that I knew and was committed to bettering the lives of the people he served. My deepest condolences to Robin and their family on this enormous loss.”
As publisher and editor-in-chief, I also mourn the loss of Fidler. When he served in the council and I was a reporter for Courier Life/News Corp, he was very often my go-to source when it came to budget issues and other policy-related stories.
He also was the loudest advocate for homeless, LBGT and runaway youths, going to the mat to get more funding and city services for these often voiceless young people.
Fidler remained a close source on policy-related topics when I worked as an editor/reporter for Our Time Press for five years after leaving Courier/News Corp.
Upon starting KCP, Lew was a regular commenter, critic and invaluable source on Brooklyn politics. His criticisms toward the site were never with malice and were at times justified. He was a fiercely loyal person to his friends, loved ones and political allies, and extremely straight forward with his views. I admired him greatly.
On behalf of KCP and myself, we offer the most heartfelt condolences and prayers to his widow, Robin and their children.
The Funeral for Lew Fidler will be held at 11 a.m., tomorrow, May 7 at IJ Morris Funeral Home, 1700 Coney Island Avenue, (Between Avenue M and Avenue N). Shiva details will be shared as they come available.
