Marc Berson, a real estate developer, entrepreneur, attorney and philanthropist known for his hometown ties, has died at age 79.

The Newark native’s passing, after a short illness, was announced Dec. 3 by The Fidelco Group, which Berson founded in 1981.

The former RWJBarbabas Health chairman was also a founding trustee of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. According to Fidelco, however, his proudest role was co-founder of Opportunity Project Inc., a Millburn nonprofit launched in 1993 that provides programs and support for survivors of brain injury.

The Fidelco Group is an owner-developer of residential, commercial, retail and industrial projects in New Jersey, New York, Florida and Ohio. The leader in redevelopment as well as new construction has millions of square feet completed and under development square feet, according to the company.

In Newark, Fidelco’s work includes 1 Washington Park, 494 Broad St., RockPlaza Lofts and others.

Upon the Victoria Foundation’s finding a home at the Millburn-based company’s 550 Broad St. building in the Brick City earlier this year, Berson commented that the nonprofit and his company had similar goals. “Our innovative and inclusive approach to workspaces will allow businesses born in Newark to stay in Newark,” he said at the time.

“We are supporting the community while providing an opportunity for startups, not-for-profit organizations and corporations to open and expand,” Berson added.

According to Fidelco, Berson proudly viewed NJPAC, which he helped found, as an important step in Newark’s revitalization.

During his time as chair of NJPAC’s real estate committee, Berson identified a property as a potential movie studio site. Last year, the venue began work on a 12-acre production studio, where Lionsgate will serve as anchor. The $125 million project is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to Newark.

Berson concluded a three-year term as chair of the RWJBarnabas Health board of trustees in 2022, covering what the health care system described as a “transformational time of growth.”

“Marc has been a tremendous advocate for our community, championing our system’s social impact work and prioritizing health outside the hospital walls,” RWJBarnabas President Mark Manigan said at the time.

Berson was chair of Barnabas Health in 2016, when it merged with Robert Wood Johnson Health System, as well as during the provider’s integration with Rutgers University, which created the state’s largest academic health care system. Before that, he was also chairman of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark and the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo were among Berson’s local educational and youth-focused causes.

In 2022, Berson was honored as an NJBIZ Icon. Upon receiving the award, he told NJBIZ that the best decision in his career had been, “To attend law school and follow a career in the law. I built a law firm where I practiced for 20 years. My work as an attorney lead to my later focus in real estate and business development, as well as philanthropy.”

A graduate of the Rutgers School of Law School in Newark, he received his JD in 1968, preceded by his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers College, New Brunswick in 1965. Soon after graduating from Rutgers Law, Berson built a firm where he practiced for 20 years, paving the way for his later success. According to Fidelco, his business ventures will continue under the leadership of his family, who have worked closely with him under his guidance.

Born in 1944 in Newark, he was the son of Norman Berson and Ethel (Brief) Berson. He was a 1962 alumnus of Columbia High School in Maplewood. Berson is survived by his wife, Randi, of 41 years; sister, Jane (Berson) Wisner; children, Lora Hersh (Jeff Hersh), Gary Berson (Ronald Valdez), Kerri Berson Levine (Jared Levine); and six grandchildren.