Obituary

Longtime Lawrence Village Justice Donald Buchalter, 83

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Donald Buchalter had a role in nearly every case adjudicated in the Lawrence Village Hall courtroom, from its establishment in 1968 until his retirement in 2018. Buchalter died on Aug. 26. He was 83.

He was appointed the village’s first prosecutor 52 years ago by then Mayor Jay Gordon — who became his brother-in-law. (The two men’s wives, Barbara Gordon and Judith Buchalter, are sisters.)

Buchalter became village justice in 1980 succeeding Cal Polivey, the original village justice. The village courtroom was named in Buchalter’s honor on Nov. 19, 2018 — Judge Donald J. Buchalter Day in Lawrence.

He also practiced labor relations law. “I liked to treat everybody the same,” he said on his special day. “Whether they were rich, poor, black, white. They were all individuals, and all entitled to a fair process.” Lawrence Village Court adjudicates traffic tickets issued in the village by the Nassau County Police Department and summonses for village code violations.

Born on May 23, 1937, in Brooklyn, Buchalter moved with his family to Rockville Centre shortly before he graduated from high school. “He was plain and simple, as he had no affectations, said Judy, his wife of 55 years. “He was the most wonderful, caring, protective husband.”

Buchalter graduated from Hofstra University in 1958, and New York University Law School five years later. In between, he also served a three-year stateside hitch in the Army, and was discharged as a first lieutenant in 1964.

Judy called their years together a “fairy tale marriage” and likened their meeting to a scene from a movie. Both were on vacation in Puerto Rico as 1963 rolled into 1964. “They met at a blackjack table on New Year’s Eve,” said daughter Allyson Galishoff. “[Mom] was with a bunch of friends who were leaving the next day. Her friends left. She was tired and about to finish up. [Dad] stood behind her at the blackjack table. She said, ‘Did you want this seat?’ He said, ‘No, I want to have a drink with you.’”

They had breakfast in the morning and Buchalter gave Judy his jacket, noting that it was snowing in New York. Galishoff said that was when Judy knew she would be seeing him again. The couple were married in 1965 and settled in Lawrence, where Judy was raised.

“We traveled; we laughed until the last minutes,” Judy said. “He loved life, was a lover of people, people loved him. He had amazing, caring friends. It’s a tremendous loss to the children.” She was referring not only to their daughters, Allyson and Toni, but also to their grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and grandnephews and grandnieces. “He loved his grandkids — oh my God,” Galishoff said.

Buchalter was a member of the Nassau County Magistrates Association, raised money for the United Way and United Jewish Appeal, and also served on the Lawrence Parks Commission. He loved his dog, Lex, and playing golf at the Lawrence County Club, which later became the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club. “He loved golf — must have played 50 years,” Judy said. “He loved the course, [and] his friends there.”

Longtime friend Ron Goldman, a neighbor who was the acting village justice and village prosecutor before becoming village administrator, said Buchalter’s death leaves a void. “The loss of Donald J. Buchalter is a personal loss for me and a major loss for the community, as he represented the finest levels of service and judicial conduct,” Goldman said. “He was great guy and a great judge. He will be missed.”

Along with his wife, Galishoff (Alan) and Toni Hertwig (Frank), Buchalter is survived by grandchildren Spencer and Casey Galishoff and Jessi and Ethan Hertwig, and sister-in-law Rosaly Buchalter and her children, Caren, Ricky and Leigh. He was predeceased by his brother, Jerry, two years ago.

“Our former Village Justice Don Buchlater was the very definition of a mensch,” Lawrence Deputy Mayor Michael Fragin posted on Facebook. “A fair, kind and pleasant person, he was a mentor to those who were fortunate to serve the public alongside him.”

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the funeral service and shiva were private. Buchalter was buried at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont.

“The twinkle in his eye was both loving and interesting, a touch mysterious,” Galishoff said. “He had the admiration of everyone that knew him. His love felt so special.”