HOWARD LEVINE

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HOWARD LEVINE Sept 9, 1924 April 5, 2011 A gentleman and a gentle man. Sadly after his courageous battle with a lengthy and difficult illness, Howard Levine 86, passed surrounded by his family on April 5, 2011. He leaves to mourn his beloved Victoria, wife of 65 years, his daughter Sheryl (Steve) and son Marc (Janice), his grandchildren Tia, Hart (Michelle) and Shawn (Kerri), and great-grandchildren Joey, Joshua, and Ethan. Howard is survived by his brother Phillip Levine (Calgary) and predeceased by his parents Samuel and Sarah (Duboff), his sisters Bess (Kay) and Lillyan (Peckett) and brothers Maurice, Max, and Louis. Howard lived his life wholly devoted to and utterly in love with Victoria his wife of 65 years. He always said no matter where they went she was always the most beautiful woman in the room. They always lovingly held hands even until his last breath was drawn. The other hand was held by his devoted daughter who never left his side throughout his illness. Howard was very proud of his days in the U.S. Army 3rd Division under General Patton, when he enlisted as a young man of 17 years. He was twice wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and was decorated with two Purple Hearts among many other military honors. His name is forever enshrined in the US National Purple Heart Hall Of Honor in New York. Howard was a restauranteur of his family restaurant, the L L Grill as well as five others and the night club - Rancho Don Carlos. He enjoyed being the consummate host to all of his patrons and such world famous performers as Bob Hope, Myron Cohen, Robert Goulet.. Howard was a Mason for over 60 years and was a master of the Mt Sinai Lodge, he conducted the charity draws for General Monash Legion and was also a Shriner. He took great pride in being a circus daddy', a top fundraiser for their children's hospital. He had a great respect and appreciation for the Salvation Army, he always said they were the most kind and generous to the enlisted men and woman, and Howard remembered them in his charitable contributions. He was also a volunteer at Misericordia Hospital and for over 30 years ran the gift shop along side his wife, responsible for much fundraising for necessary equipment. He was a supporter of the arts, Manitoba Theatre Centre, and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Howard was a Blue Bomber supporter for over 50 years and a Goldeyes fan. Howard loved his card playing at the Montefiore Club and Hebrew Fraternal Lodge and he was also a bowler for many years. In recent years, Howard was District Manager of Mutual of Omaha Insurance and then RBC Insurance. He ran his office with honesty and integrity, and his success led him and his wife to travel the world together. His constant encouragement to his grand-children and the nachus he derived from their accomplishments will be greatly missed. He will be missed by Sheryl's dog Tazz who brought him many smiles in later years. His wife and children have lost a hero, a best friend, a more devoted husband, father, grandfather you will never find. He never failed to say I Love You and we were privileged to be able to say those words to him over and over until the end of his time here with us. He will be ever remembered and sadly missed. Life will never be the same without you Daddy!. Thank you to the nurses at Grace Hospital, especially Gianna, Louise, Yolanda and Janice, and a special thank you to Doctor Larry Reynolds who showed great respect and compassion for both Howard and his wife Victoria. Donations may be made to Salvation Army, Winnipeg Humane Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice. Services were held April 6, 2011 at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Pallbearers were Shawn Levine, Hart Levine, Ron Cantor, Lawrence Marmel, Jeremy Simcoe, Josh Knazan.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2011