Jerome Alan Ornstein Of Southampton Dies September 9

Jerome Alan Ornstein of Southampton died on September 9 at the Kanas Center for Hospice Care of natural causes. He was 92.

Mr. Ornstein, known by his childhood friends as J. Alan, was born in Manhattan on February 15, 1928 to Rose Weisinger and Theodore Ornstein. He grew up in Long Beach, where his father was mayor, and formed life-long friendships. He graduated from Cheshire Academy, where he was an editor of the school newspaper. Following that, he attended his family’s alma mater, Syracuse University.

After graduating from Syracuse University, he served in the National Guard Reserve and earned his JD from New York Law School. Mr. Ornstein worked in all facets of the real estate business, including as the construction foreman for Cross County Center in Westchester, and in drafting the first form leases for the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Later in life, he served on Syracuse’s Board of Visitors and established an athletic scholarship in his family’s name.

Working in New York City, he achieved recognition for his work as a real estate and divorce attorney. Despite working in law, real estate, and finance, Mr. Ornstein also nurtured his creative side throughout his life, according to his family. He was a published author, (“The

Lion’s Share: A Combat Manual for the Divorcing Male”), and a Regional Emmy-nominated late night host (“Good Night New York”).

In the 1980s, Mr. Ornstein moved to the Hamptons, where he developed residential and commercial real estate locally. For several years, he was the chairman of Central Federal Savings Bank. He spent his later years managing a national commercial real estate portfolio.

He also developed a passion for playwriting and sculpture. He was involved with numerous playwriting groups and had his play “god” with a little g produced regionally. One of his large steel sculptures is on the grounds of Mather Hospital. Another, titled Pearls of Wisdom, sits in front of Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton.

According to his family, Mr. Ornstein loved his family deeply. He was also a lover of chocolate cookies, the New York Yankees, Syracuse basketball, a good history book, and dogs — especially Irish wolfhounds.

He is survived by his six children, Bruce, Scott, Kathy, Kirk, Nicole and Max; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his wife, Pamela.

Family and close friends will gather for a private service and wish to extend their gratitude to the Kanas Center.