Matzav.com reports with sadness the passing of Michael Simanowitz, an Orthodox Jewish New York State assemblyman. Michael passed away on Shabbos. He was 45.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and colleague,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said in a statement.
A father of four and a native of Forest Hills, Queens, Michael was first elected to represent the 27th district in Queens in 2011. The district includes the communities of College Point, Whitestone, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens Hills, Electchester, Pomonok, Briarwood, Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill.
“Simanowitz worked every day to make life better for his constituents and I join them and all New Yorkers in mourning his sudden passing,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo in a statement. “We shared a love for our home borough of Queens and a belief in public service as a vehicle for positive change.”
A Democratic New York State Assembly member, Michael was a resident of the Electchester housing cooperative in Flushing.
On September 13, 2011, Michael, the former Chief of Staff to his predecessor Nettie Mayersohn, was elected during a special election to the New York State Assembly. Michael served on the New York City Police Department Auxiliary Police’s 107 Precinct Auxiliary Unit since 1995. He served as that unit’s commanding officer and achieved the rank of Auxiliary Deputy Inspector.
In a statement, Assemblyman Dov Hikind stated, “I’m still in shock learning this terribly sad news just after Shabbos. Michael was a friend and an outstanding colleague; a proud Jew who loved his family, loved his community, and loved the Jewish people. He was as good as G-d makes people, a star, a real mensch. I will miss him very much. May his family be comforted with the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.”
CB Frommer, a reporter at Matzav.com, hailed Michael “as a “great friend and advocate for the Jewish community, focusing on helping everyone, from all walks of life, with humbleness and sensitivity.”
Michael is survived by his wife Jennifer and their four children.
The levaya will take place at noon Sunday at Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapel, located at 114-03 Queens Blvd. in Forest Hills, NY.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{D. Melamed-Matzav.com Newscenter}
He was so special. Always B’Simcha. Always a humble staunch friend. Just an amazing person. Emunah, bitachon, of the highest order. he will be terribly missed.
Seeing the videos of him in the Assembly describing his support for a bill for the abused are a glimpse of what he was: an Ish Emes, and always looking to do tzedek, תנצבה