Obituary of Marcus I. Breier

Marcus I. Breier, 97, innovative and creative former Mayor of Amsterdam, New York, former President of one of the largest men's outerwear companies in America and a major force in the men's apparel business for decades, died Saturday, May 15, 2010 at his home in Miami, Florida. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 2, 1912, and was the son of the late Benjamin and Golda Stern Breier. Known as "Pop" to his loving six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, he is survived by his wife of over 68 years, Eleanore Cramer Breier, an Amsterdam native. Mr. and Mrs. Breier have resided together in Amsterdam for almost seven decades. In addition to his devoted wife, grandchildren and great grandchildren, he is also survived by his sons, Robert G. Breier, Richard Breier and his wife, Alyson, and his daughter, Joan Brodsky and her husband, William. A 1934 graduate of Cornell University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree, he was also a 1936 graduate of the Cornell University School of Law. Mr. Breier always took great pride in his service over many years as the Treasurer of the Class of 1934 Alumni. He was the CEO of Breier of Amsterdam, Inc., and its forerunner, Marcus Breier & Sons, Inc., a manufacturer under the internationally known trade name of "Bantamac". The company was formed in 1898 by his grandfather also named Marcus. Mr. Breier began his professional career as an attorney in New York City. He then followed his father into the outerwear apparel manufacturing business, and played a significant part in its growth. He built a company that supplied the military with flying jackets in World War II and the wars that followed, and developed several unique manufacturing concepts. He, along with a group of other large menswear company executives, created the holiday - Father's Day. In 1963, Mr. Breier entered politics. He was elected Mayor of Amsterdam, beginning his term in 1964. During his political career, he won every election he entered. While Mayor of Amsterdam, Mr. Breier was the first public official to recognize the need for urban renewal. His alliance with both former Congressman Samuel Stratton and Governor Nelson Rockefeller, led to a substantial expenditure of funds in Amsterdam for urban renewal. He was one of the first proponents of the arterial that today runs from the New York State Thruway north and replaced a decaying and dangerous city street system. Due to the one term limit imposed on mayors, Mr. Breier could not run for re-election in 1968, but, then, began a campaign that included walking house to house to meet with every voter. This culminated in his subsequently being elected to the Montgomery Board of Supervisors, on which he served for multiple terms. He is the only Mayor to have served as both Chairman of the Montgomery Board of Supervisors and Mayor of Amsterdam. Mr. Breier was a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association and a member of Congregation Sons of Israel, where he served as its President on multiple occasions. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 21, 2010 at Congregation Sons of Israel Synagogue, Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, with Rabbi Morris Zimbalist officiating. Interment will follow in Temple of Israel Cemetery in Cranesville. The family will receive relatives and friends prior to services on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30AM at the synagogue. Contributions in Mr. Breier's memory may be made to: Breier Fund, Congregation Sons of Israel, 355 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010.