Former Bergen County GOP Chairman Berek P. Don and once one of the most influential Republicans in New Jersey politics, died on January 16. He was 78.
He was a partner at Smith, Don, Alampi and Scalo, a North Jersey law firm that wielded considerable power in Bergen County. One of his partners was Carmine Alampi, who had been counsel to the Bergen County Democratic Organization.
Don ran for Fort Lee councilman in 1976, at age 29, and came within 83 votes of ousting Scott Weiner, then a 27-year old incumbent and law student.
He later served as GOP municipal chairman; he made another bid for council in 1978 but dropped out, citing business reasons.
In 1980, Don won an unexpired term on the Fort Lee council. Republicans took the majority that year for the first time since 1973; after Democrats reclaimed it in 1982, Fort Lee has remained solidly Democratic.
Don served as council president in 1981 and 1982. He lost his 1982 bid for re-election.
Gov. Thomas Kean nominated Don to serve on the Bergen County Board of Taxation in 1984.
After William McDowell was elected as the first Bergen County Executive in 1986, Don became the County Counsel.
He was elected county chairman in 1994 after John Schepisi decided not to seek re-election. He defeated Beatrice Peak with 80% of the vote. He served until 1997 when a legal issue ended his political career.
Don was born in Austria – his parents were Holocaust survivor – and emigrated to the U.S. As a child.
He is survived by his wife, Mica, four children and three grandchildren.
