IFSHIN--Steve. Steve Ifshin died on November 23 at Westchester Medical Center after a brief illness. He was 80. Ifshin served jazz from behind the scenes, but to those who knew him, he loomed large for the strength of his leadership, enthusiasm and vision. He was an especially vital force at WBGO Jazz88, where he served four years as chairman of the Board of Trustees. He also served on the board at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Stephen Neil Ifshin was born on July 11, 1936 in Brooklyn, to Daniel Ifshin and the former Beatrice Kaplan. He spent his early years in Crown Heights and attended Midwood High School before attending the University of Vermont. Ifshin had a very successful career in commercial real estate, founding and leading a number of a commercial brokerage, development, and property management firms and shepherding some of New York City's then-largest real estate transactions. As WBGO chairman from 2011 to 2015, Ifshin was instrumental in expanding the station's reach and audience. Ifshin's tenure on the Jazz at Lincoln Center board began more recently, but he was a longtime supporter of the organization's programming. Wynton Marsalis, Managing and Artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, said: "Jazz at Lincoln Center was excited and proud to welcome him to our Board, and we are saddened that his time with us was so short. Steve is a testament to the impact one dedicated and passionate person can have on this music and our culture - we are all the better for Steve's time with us." In addition to Billie Lim, his wife of 25 years, Ifshin is survived by his children, Noelle and Adam; his sister, Ellen; and three grandchildren, Anya, Alec and Ari, along with many friends in and beyond the jazz community. Donations can be made in Steve's memory to the WBGO's Steve Ifshin Tribute Fund www.wbgo.org/epledgenow With gratitude, WBGO/Newark Public Radio, Jazz at Lincoln Center Chairman Bob Appel, Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, and the entire Board and staff of Jazz at Lincoln Center.