David T. Zussman

David T. Zussman passed away at his residence in Chestnut Hill surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. He was 90 years old. Born in Boston to the late Irving and Jeannette (Rubin) Zussman. He was a leader and pioneer in residential and commercial real estate. He founded Creative Builders which became Boston Development Group (BDG) in 1956. He was the first to convert apartments into condominiums. He won ten national awards for excellence in design, construction and development. In 1975 Mr. Zussman created First General Realty Corp., a management and leasing company that manages Boston Development Group’s diverse portfolio of buildings. His firm has developed, constructed, marketed and managed apartments, condominiums, offices, hotels, senior communities and retail spaces along the East Coast of the United States from Buffalo, NY to Florida. Mr. Zussman graduated Lawrence Academy and he received his BA in economics from Tufts University. He attended graduate school at NYU School of Business and Harvard University School of Design.
Mr. Zussman served as President of The National Kidney Foundation and served on the Board of Overseers at Tufts University and The Presidents Circle at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. He established The Social and Emotional Learning Alliance at the Tisch School at Tufts University. In addition to Dana Farber, his philanthropy included Mass General Hospital and Morse Geriatric in Palm Beach, FL.
He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 64 years, Randi (Kliger) Zussman,  his daughters Debbie Peck and her husband David, Jodie Zussman, and Amy Pates and her husband Chris. He is also survived by his grandchildren Alexis, Cole, Jake, Charlie, Lauren, Lindsey, Haley, and his great- grandchildren Skye and Zion. He was the brother of the late Arlene “Sis” Barrow.
Mr. Zussman was a mentor and a friend to many. His legacy will live on to those he touched.
Services will be private. Remembrances in his memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284.