Harold Levy

Harold Levy, 92, of Heritage Village, passed peacefully Wednesday September 26th at home surrounded by his loving family.   He was predeceased by his loving wife of 64 wonderful years.  Together they raised 2 children, a son Arthur Levy of Key Biscayne, Florida, and a daughter Sandy Weinberg of Bethel, Connecticut. 

Harold was born in Brooklyn, New York, grew up in Sheepshead Bay and was a graduate of James Madison H.S. and Brooklyn College.  He joined the US Navy at age 17 and was stationed in the Western Pacific Theater during World War II.  He served on the Aircraft Carrier Shangri-La, the flagship of Admiral McCain.  After the war he served on a destroyer escort USS Fieberling.  He was stationed in Shanghai China, and was amazed at the way the city had transformed itself in recent decades.

He became a science teacher, first working in East New York and eventually he was part of the staff that opened the brand new Sheepshead Bay High School, teaching Biology.  Later in his career he became the chairman of the Science Department, and Assistant Principal in the New York City School Sytem.

He was the son of Abraham and Minnie Levy, and had one brother Bertrand who served in the US Army during WWII and was killed in action in France.

He grew up on Dooley Street with family members in surrounding homes.  As a child, he worked at his grandfather's general store, filling customers orders and making deliveries.  They were eventually displaced by the construction of the Belt Parkway.   Harold spent many hours with his best friend Jimmy Mugno working on the boats and docks of Sheepshead Bay.

Harold, was able to take advantage of the stipends offered by the National Science Foundation that were provided to teachers of science and mathematics to attend summer institutes, thanks to the shock felt when the former U.S.S.R. launched “Sputnik”. The entire family was able to travel to colleges and Universities for summer study programs.

They lived on college campuses while the kids were young, including living in the dorms at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, living in a trailer on Bailey Island, Maine while Harold studied at Bowdoin College, living in the dorms of the University of Colorado in Boulder, and renting a house in Oneonta, NY.

When their ties to Brooklyn, NY loosened they rented a unit in Heritage Village to see how they would like it, and like it they did.   Harold volunteered for Meals On Wheels and Patient Transportation.  He participated in the program called “Monologues”, affiliated with the Theater Guild.  Harold enjoyed opera, skiing, as well as ice-skating at Taft School for many years.

When Harold discovered the wood shop known as “the Barn” at Heritage Village, it was love at first sight.  With no prior experience and working with no kit or plans, he began to build dozens of ship models, many of which were sailed at the Heritage Village annual Regatta.  He then branched out to build models of local buildings including one that is currently housed at the Southbury Library and many throughout Heritage Village.

Harold is survived by his son Art, his daughter Sandy and her husband Steve Weinberg, grandson Matt Werden and wife Zarah, granddaughter Emily and husband Dan Omohundro, great grandchildren Felix Werden & Madeline Omohundro. Interestingly Harold who was born in Brooklyn, emigrated to Connecticut, while his grandson Matt who was born in Connecticut has moved to Brooklyn.

Harold lived a blessed life just shy of his 93rd birthday and was able to experience the joy of 2 great grandchildren.  Anyone who knew him would tell you he was the nicest, kindest and most considerate gentleman.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday October 2, 2018 at 10:00 am at Munson Lovetere Funeral Home in Southbury, CT. Contributions in Harold’s memory may be made to Heritage Village Ambulance Association or the Heritage Village Library. To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

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