Albert Burstein

Albert Burstein of Tenafly, New Jersey, a prominent attorney, politician, and public servant, died peacefully at home on Thursday December 27, 2018 at the age of 96. Al was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of Julius and Hannah Burstein who had immigrated to the U.S. from Poland. His studies at Columbia College—where he excelled in academics and athletics—were interrupted by his brave service in World War II, where Al fought in the post-D-Day Fall 1944 invasion of Normandy. His courage in fighting in France in the war against Hitler and fascism led to his award of the Bronze Star from the U.S. Government and Chevalier of the Legion of Honor from the French Government.

After the war, he obtained his law degree at Columbia Law School. In 1950 he married Ruth Appelblatt, his beloved wife, and practiced law in Jersey City. His first foray into New Jersey politics was unsuccessful, part of a clean government crusade that ran into the machine politics of Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague. Moving to Tenafly in 1965, his political fortunes changed. From 1971 to 1981, Al was elected to represent Bergen County’s 37th District in the New Jersey Assembly, and served as Democratic Majority Leader. As Chair of the Education Committee, Al was instrumental in revamping New Jersey’s school funding system to effectuate the constitutional mandate to provide efficient and fair education, regardless of the wealth of the locality. His belief in good government led to his sponsoring legislation revising New Jersey’s election laws, most notably the Gubernatorial Public Financing Law of 1974, designed to take dark money out of State politics. While Al left the Assembly in 1981, he continued to serve the State in other capacities, chairing both the New Jersey Law Revision Commission and the Election Law Enforcement Commission.

Al’s many successes as an attorney were evidenced by his being named “Lawyer of the Year” from the Committee on Professionalism in 1999 and receiving the Daniel J. O’Hern Professional Award from the New Jersey Bar Association in 2006. He was a founding partner of the Hackensack law firm Herten Burstein, which in 2011 merged with the larger firm of Archer & Greiner. An expert in trust, estates and family law, commercial law, and ethics, Al was a valued partner at Archer & Greiner, working there until early 2018. His respect among New Jersey judges led to many appointments as a special master and mediator.

Al was a wonderful jazz pianist, and enjoyed regularly going to Lincoln Center for Philharmonic concerts into his 90s. He excelled at tennis, still playing in his 80s. He was an avid reader and sparkling conversationalist, with a wicked sense of humor.

He was a devoted, loving husband to his wife Ruth of 68 years. He is survived by Ruth; by his three children, Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Kim Constantine, Diane and son-in-law Jim Angel, and Laura; by his brother David and sister-in-law Jackie; by his three grandchildren, Alex Angel, William Burstein and Julia Burstein; and by numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and a wealth of dear friends.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday December 30 at 12:45 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 1 Engle St., Tenafly, [See Directions Below]

Interment will follow at Beth El/Cedar Park Cemetery, 735 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ

Shiva will be observed at the Burstein residence December 30 after the burial, and on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 from 2:00-5:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions should be directed to the favorite charity of your choice.