Donald E. Belfi, retired Nassau County judge, dies at 84

Rockville Centre resident and Nassau County Court Judge Donald Eberhard Belfi died on Feb. 26, after a long illness. Belfi, 84, presided over several high-profile cases during his tenure, is most well known for the 1995 trial of Long Island Rail Road massacre shooter Colin Ferguson. He died in Stuart, FL, surrounded by his family.

“He was a giant in the judicial community,” said Christopher McGrath, past president of the Nassau County Bar Association and a senior partner at Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo P.C., a Garden City-based law firm. “He handled some major cases and handled them with distinction. He treated every single case the same, that’s why he has such a reputation as a jurist. Everyone loved him; he was a consummate gentleman.”

Belfi was born on Jan. 21, 1936 in Brooklyn to Eberhard Belfi, an immigrant from Germany, and Margaret Belfi, who was born in Brooklyn. The family moved to East Rockaway and then to Rockville Centre, where Belfi attended South Side High School. While in the Hamptons one summer, he met his wife, Sarah Fisk—known as Sally; the two married on Dec. 28, 1968 and raised five children together.

In 1957, Belfi graduated from Georgetown University, then received his law degree from Fordham University of Law in 1960 and joined the office of then-Manhattan District Attorney Frank Hogan, serving assistant district attorney from 1960 to 1962. From 1962 to 1974, Belfi was an assistant district attorney in Nassau County, and in 1975, he was elected to the Nassau County District Court bench. He was reelected in 1980, 1984 and 1994, but lost the vote in 2004. After leaving the bench, he joined the Manhattan law firm of Murray, Frank & Sailer, LLP, as senior counsel.

Upon his retirement, former Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy paid tribute to Melfi in the U.S. House of Representatives, on Feb. 14, 2005.

“A long and distinguished history of accomplishment and community leadership marks Judge Belfi’s career,” McCarthy said. 

“As County Court Judge for more than 20 years, Judge Belfi presided over hundreds of criminal trials, many of which were high profile cases. Among these is the Colin Ferguson Long Island Railroad case, a matter I hold close to my heart.”

McCarthy lost her husband and her son in the 1993 attack and responded to the crime by advocating for more stringent gun control laws. She was elected to Congress in 1996 and served New York’s 4th District until 2015. 

“On a personal level, this was the first time I had ever been exposed to the court system,” McCarthy said. “Judge Belfi held the dignity of his courtroom every day, making the trial bearable for me, my family and so many of the victims of the Long Island Railroad massacre. I cannot even begin to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for his service to the community.”

Widely recognized throughout the community, Belfi’s efforts and achievements were rewarded with many honors, including the Fraternal Order of Court Officers Bench and Bar Award, the Criminal Courts Bar Association’s Norman F. Lent Award, the Fordham Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award, the DeStefano Industries Annual Award, and the Court Officer’s Benevolent Association of Nassau County Fidelis Juris Award.   

While raising their family in Rockville Centre, Donald and Sally were both active in the community. Sally taught in the Rockville Centre District and was on the board of the Rockville Centre Education Foundation. Donald served as commissioner of Rockville Centre Little League, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was active in the St. Agnes Cathedral Parish Council.

In addition to his wife, Donald is survived by his children: Eric and his wife, Tara, of Laurel Hollow; Brian and his wife, Adrienne, of Massapequa; Tara Hofmeyer and her husband, Stephen, of Merrick; Rory and his wife Erin, of Westfield, New Jersey; Sean of Manhattan; and 10 grandchildren: Christopher, Katie, James, Sarah, Molly, Jack, Julia, Luca, Mackenzie, and Emily. The family is requesting in lieu of flowers a donation may be given to St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn.  

The wake will be on March 6 at Macken Mortuary, 52 Clinton Ave, Rockville Centre, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will take place on March 7 at St. Agnes Cathedral. At a later date, a cremation and private ceremony will be held. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be given to St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn.