NEW YORK CITY—John Zuccotti, chairman, global operations, Brookfield Asset Management and of counsel in the real estate department Weil, Gotshal & Manges, has died. The 78-year-old executive suffered a heart attack.

He served as first deputy Mayor of New York City under Mayor Abraham Beame from 1975 through 1977 after serving as chairman of the NYC Planning Commission from 1973 to 1975, according to information provided by Brookfield.

Zuccotti also chaired several city task forces under Mayors Hugh Carey and Ed Koch and held several positions in federal government in Washington D.C. Prior to joining Brookfield, he was president and CEO of Olympia & York Cos. He was previously a partner in the law firm of Brown & Wood from 1986 to 1990, and a partner in the law firm of Tufo & Zuccotti from 1978 to 1986.

In 2006, a private park owned by Brookfield that was damaged in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks was restored and renamed in honor of Zuccotti, the New York Post notes. His namesake green space later became the center of the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011. More recently, Zuccotti was a member of the 9/11 Memorial board of directors.

Marking the longtime civil servant's passing, William Rudin, CEO, Rudin Management and chairman, Association for a Better New York says, "John left an indelible mark on our city. He will be remembered as one of New York City's greats. ABNY and the Rudin family express our deepest condolences to the entire Zuccotti family.

Adds Silverstein Properties chairman Larry Silverstein, "John was a great friend and cherished colleague in the real estate industry, as well as one of the great civic leaders of New York City history. Throughout his career and in all of his civic work, he was always motivated by his love for our great city. Everyone who cares about Lower Manhattan owes him a great deal for what he did to help the neighborhood recover in the aftermath of 9/11. He will be missed."

Zuccotti is survived by his wife Susan, three children and eight grandchildren.

Instant Insights /

Brookfield Chairman John Zuccotti Dies

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