Michael Chasanoff dies at 78

Michael Chasanoff, a prominent commercial real estate developer, and 30-year Hewlett resident, died Jan. 21. He was 78.

Chasanoff grew up in Far Rockaway and graduated from Yale University. He and his brother, Allan, started Chasanoff Properties in Manhattan in the late 1960s. He also owned race horses and had several champions in his stables, said his son Robert Chasanoff. “My father had a very large personality,” Robert said. “He could be tough but he was always honorable and fair. His reputation was impeccable.”

Peter Boneparth, a Lawrence Woodmere Academy graduate, knew the senior Chasanoff for 37 years and had him as a baseball coach at LWA. Boneparth said Chasanoff was a great role model and who taught life lessons. “I cannot tell you how many times in the past 37 years I have asked myself what Mr. Chasanoff would do in a particular situation and there was not one time when I picked up the phone and asked him did he say he was too busy to talk with me, not a single one. His interest in my own children was extraordinary,” Boneparth said as part of the eulogy he delivered at Chasanoff’s funeral.

Boneparth recounted how he and his son Neil shared a night at Citi Field with Chasanoff during a Mets’ game.

“Yes, the Mets could test even his love for the game, but on that particular evening, the game on the field did not matter. He spoke to my 16-year-old son, a budding catcher, as he spoke to me when I was at that same age. He talked to Neil as if they were they only two people at Citi Field. He reveled in my son’s size, his eating prowess, and together they simply talked baseball. It was a moment I will always remember and I know my son came to understand that night was Mr. C was talked about with such reverence in our household.”

Though Chasanoff was successful in business, successful with his race horsing avocation and served as the commissioner for the Port Authority for the past 10 years, Boneparth believes his biggest success was his children.

“To Bobby, Steven and Nancy, I extend my sincerest condolences and thanks. While your dad was accomplished in so many ways, without a doubt each of you individually and together were his crowning achievement and I know his spirit of generosity and his zest for life resides in all of you and your respective families,” Boneparth, also said in his eulogy.

Chasanoff is survived by his wife, Judy, son Stephen of Manhattan, son Robert of Locust Valley, daughter Nancy Butler of Laurel Hollow, and six grandchildren.

Services were held Jan. 24 at Riverside Memorial Chapel in Manhattan. He was interred at New Montefiore Cemetery in Pinelawn.