Southold Justice Court staff hosted a get-together at town hall for retiring Justice Rudolph Bruer Friday afternoon.
Bruer, 75, has spent 20 years on the bench in the town court. He decided not to seek re-election this year.
“My wife wanted me to retire,” the judge said Friday. “We’ll maybe spend a little bit more time in Florida.”
Bruer and his wife Virginia have four children and nine grandchildren. He will continue to practice law in Southold, he said. He maintains an office on Main Road in the village, across from the fire house.
His time as town justice has been a very enjoyable experience, Bruer said.
“The attorneys have been great — the people of the Town of Southold are great. People are courteous and nice,” he said.
Bruer succeeded Fred Tedeschi as town justice. Tedeschi, too, served 20 years in that role.
Lawyers from the Legal Aid Society and the Suffolk County district attorney’s office, as well as some private practitioners, town officials and staff members, attended the gathering to wish the retiring judge well.
“I’ve been very fortunate,” Bruer said.
