Paul Babitz was one of a kind. He never entered a room quietly, nor did he live a life that could be mistaken for anyone else’s. He passed away peacefully on October 23 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, surrounded by the family he cherished and who adored him boundlessly.

Born in Elmira, New York, in 1934 to Ethel and Jack Babitz, Paul graduated from Syracuse University and the University of Michigan Law School. He also served proudly in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Captain.

Paul Babitz launched a remarkable legal career in Rochester, New York, with Sutton, DeLeeuw, Clark & Darcy. An entrepreneur at heart, Paul left the firm to build his own. A gifted and creative tax lawyer, what began as a practice focused on tax law evolved into a nationally recognized firm in real estate development. Paul was a true trailblazer in using tax-credit financing to expand affordable housing opportunities. Over time, Paul transitioned from trusted counsel to a visionary principal, advising others and leading transformative projects himself—shaping communities and setting new standards for integrity and ingenuity in the field. Well beyond traditional retirement, Paul never stopped working on deals.

A champion of higher education, Paul founded the first Tax Institute at the University of Rochester. He also combined his strong commitment to education with his unwavering support for the State of Israel, helping to create the Pediatric Scholar Exchange between the University of Rochester Medical Center and Ben-Gurion University.

Known for his poker-faced delivery of jokes, moral conviction, and unshakable integrity, Paul led with humor and empathy. He didn’t care about rules as long as they were fair and truthful. He found joy on the ski slopes, in the ritual of a fine cigar, on the golf course, boating, floating, and in all these activities at his Shangri-La—the family’s summer home on Canandaigua Lake.

Above all, Paul was devoted to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Brenda; his children, Ted (Judy) Babitz and Bobbi (Jim) Armstrong; and his grandchildren, Molly and Jack Babitz.

The family mourned his passing in a private service in Florida and will hold a memorial at their home in Canandaigua, NY, in the summer of 2026. Gifts can be made in Paul’s memory to the University of Rochester, Golisano Children’s Hospital (https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/ways-to-give), or Soroka Medical Center of the Negev (https://www.soroka.org/donate/).