Courtesy the Howard Hughes Corporation

Paul Hovitz, who served on Community Board 1 for 27 years and was instrumental in starting so many of the institutions that make Downtown a neighborhood, died on Dec. 14 at the age of 78. The cause was pancreatic cancer arising from his exposure to toxins at 9/11, according to The Broadsheet. He was a civilian first responder in those first days after the attacks.

Paul lived for decades in Southbridge Towers and was especially involved with issues at the Seaport, including the South Street Seaport Museum. In his 27 years on CB1, starting in 1992 (he left the board in 2019), he led the efforts to found the nine schools that exist in the neighborhoods of Fidi and Tribeca today. Bob Townley, the executive director of Manhattan Youth, said in The Broadsheet, “Paul helped build the Downtown Community Center, and was an instrumental leader in the School Overcrowding Task Force that helped build the Peck Slip and Spruce Street Schools.”

A retired special education teacher of 35 years, Paul also served as a community advisor to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Denise, and his daughter, who was raised in Southbridge Towers.

Paul was honored in 2022 at the Seaport Chanukah Celebration on Dec. 18 by the Howard Hughes Corporation, in recognition of his decades of service. The event included the debut of a 15-foot nautical-themed menorah designed by conceptual artist Yitzchok Moully, which was dedicated to Paul.

The Seaport blog also included this Q&A with Paul:

What initially drew you to Lower Manhattan?
I married into downtown. I met my wife on a blind date and the rest is history.

Obviously, the neighborhood has evolved over the years. What are some of the things that, in your eyes, have stayed the same?
The need for ancillary programs, school seats, and the highest quality of education has been the mark of our downtown schools.

You’ve spearheaded many initiatives to support the residents of Lower Manhattan. Of this impressive history of civic leadership, what are your proudest achievements?
We turned lemons into lemonade by raising $17M after 9/11 to create Millennium HS. However, each of the nine schools we’ve helped into being is what we are most proud of.

What are the most important values for maintaining a strong local community?
Community involvement is the most important. Working with our elected officials and engaging the media has always been our avenue to success.

What would you say to young people about the benefits of getting involved in civic activism and advocacy?
You get what you put in.

You’re being honored for your advocacy for Lower Manhattan at the Seaport’s annual Menorah Lighting this year. What does this recognition mean to you?
This is a high honor. In this life you get by giving. We don’t do this for recognition but it is a lovely tribute.