Borough Park and beyond mourned the death of New York Supreme Court Judge and lifelong community public servant member Noach Dear.
Dear, 66, died early Sunday morning due to complications from the novel coronavirus. He was elected in 2008 as a civil court judge, in 2010 as an Acting Supreme Court Justice, and in 2015 for a 15-year term as a Permanent Justice on the New York Supreme Court.
Prior to becoming a judge, Dear served as a member of the New York City Council from 1983-2001 and advocated for the issues from the religious communities he represented, including Midwood and much of Boro Park and Bensonhurst.
Former Brooklyn state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who served in the same Borough Park neighborhood when Dear was a councilman and judge, told KCP that Dear always carried himself in a youthful demeanor.
“We all ask that question – did he have any medical issues-because we want to put ourselves in the healthy category- but I’m not aware of any other issues,” said Hikind.
Hikind noted that whenever Dear would call him it was to find a solution to an issue the Jewish communities faced.
“He’s a guy who gained a reputation for looking out for the little guy. He was a good guy, plain and simple.”
Dear is to be buried in Israel, Hikind noted.
New York City Criminal Court Judge Ruchie Frier also lamented the passing of Dear, telling KCP that “he was a good friend and spoke at my induction.”
Other local electeds took to twitter to exhibit their sorrow, including City Councilman Kalman Yeger (D-Borough Park, Bensonhurst, Midwood).
“Awful, numbing news. The passing of my predecessor Justice Noach Dear is impossible to digest. The first to hold the seat I am now honored to serve. Compassionate, funny, pragmatic, always patient & loved people. His lifelong public service touched many thousands,” Tweeted Yeger.
Assemblymember Simcha Eichenstein (D-Borough Park, Midwood) told KCP that he was incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Dear.
“He truly was a leader that will be greatly missed. The services and infrastructure in the neighborhoods we live in today can be widely credited to Noach Dear’s years as a dedicated public servant who fought tirelessly for all his constituents,” said Eichenstein.
