Burt J. Blustein

Burt Blustein passed away peacefully on March 13, 2022 at Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown at the age of 81.  Born in 1940 to Abraham and Ruth Blustein in Brooklyn, NY, Burt graduated from Harpur College in 1961 and Brooklyn Law School in 1964.

Burt married the love of his life, Arlene, in 1964 and they moved to Middletown where they raised their family and where Burt enjoyed an illustrious career as an attorney.  He was a member of the New York State Bar Association, Orange County Bar Association (serving many years as chairman of the grievance committee) and Middletown Bar Association.  Burt was a “lawyers’ lawyer”—tough but fair and always happy to answer questions and give advice to local lawyers and to mentor young attorneys.  In 1999, Burt was a founding member of the law firm now known as Blustein, Shapiro, Frank & Barone, LLP located in Goshen, NY and his hard work, acumen and guidance greatly contributed to the firm’s growth and success.

Burt suffered from Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease, that ultimately lead to his total blindness, but he never used that as an excuse.  He and Arlene traveled the world enjoying numerous adventures together and brought his children and grandchildren on vacations around the globe, never missing out on any activity like an African safari or an underground hike in a centuries old water aqueduct.

Burt was predeceased by his parents, his beloved wife of 55 years, Arlene and his sister Ellen Dempsey.  His memory will be cherished by his son and law partner Michael and his wife Stacey and his son Glen and his wife Stacy, along with his granddaughters Hannah, Ileana and Rachel.

Services will be held at Temple Sinai 75 Highland Ave., Middletown on Thursday, March 17th at 12:00 Noon. Rabbi Emily Cobert will officiate. Interment will be in Temple Sinai Cemetery, Circleville, NY.  Shiva will be held at the home of Michael & Stacey Blustein on Thursday immediately following the interment.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Garnet Medical Center Foundation, 707 East Main Street, Middletown, NY 10940 or to the Blustein, Shapiro, Frank & Barone scholarship fund at the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 30 Scotts Corner Dr., Montgomery, NY 12549 for high school seniors seeking a career in law.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, Middletown, NY.