Insurance executive Robert Dubofsky of Great Neck dies

Robert L. Dubofsky, 74, of Great Neck, died on Jan. 31, 2014. Dubofsky was managing director of BWD Group LLC of Plainview. Credit: BWD Group LLC
Funeral services were held Monday for insurance company executive Robert L. Dubofsky, 74, of Great Neck, who died after choking on food at a restaurant Friday, his company said.
Dubofsky was managing director of BWD Group LLC of Plainview, which says it is one of the nation's largest privately held brokerage firms and a worldwide leader in sports and entertainment insurance, serving commercial and personal customers.
Company president Roger Blumencranz said Dubofsky was dining at a restaurant in Roslyn with a high school friend and their wives. The friend and a waiter each attempted to clear Dubofsky's throat with the Heimlich maneuver, to no avail, Blumencranz said.
Dubofsky had survived tongue cancer, Blumencranz said. "He was doing really well and he looked great," he said.
Born in Brooklyn, Dubofsky moved with his family to Great Neck in 1940, said his son, Ned, of Brookville. He graduated from Boston University with a bachelor's degree in business around 1960 and served in the Air Force Reserve in an administrative function, said his son. Dubofsky also owned homes in Aspen and Palm Beach and his son said he was an avid skier and golfer.
When Dubofsky's father, Nat, died, Dubofsky's mother, Blanche, ran the Great Neck insurance agency Nat had founded in the 1940s and which bore his name. Robert Dubofsky accelerated his college studies and graduated in three years instead of the usual four. He changed the company name to American Coverage Corp., built it up and sold it in 1985 to Alexander & Alexander Services, a national brokerage. In 1992, Dubofsky bought his company back and later merged it to form BWD.
Dubofsky had at various times served on the boards of Boston University, North Shore LIJ Health System, the Nassau County Police Crime Stoppers program and P & F Industries Inc. of Melville, a maker and importer of pneumatic tools. "He was an enormously generous, giving, kind and gentle man who truly derived more pleasure out of doing for others than in doing for himself," said his son.
Other survivors include his wife, Betsy; a daughter, Nancy Granoff of Roslyn; a sister, Simmy Atkins of Great Neck; and four grandchildren.
Our critic breaks down Oscars ... Lacrosse brothers at Molloy ... What's up on LI ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
Our critic breaks down Oscars ... Lacrosse brothers at Molloy ... What's up on LI ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
Most Popular



