DR. MARTIN LEVITT

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DR. MARTIN LEVITT It is with great sadness that the family of Martin Levitt announces his passing on August 16, 2011, at his home in Winnipeg. Martin was born June 14, 1939, to Rebecca (nee Cohen) and Norman Levitt. He was youngest brother to sister Doris and brother Alan, whom family called Sonny. He recently described Sonny, who passed away at the young age of 51, as a wonderful brother and spoke about how he derived great pleasure from becoming a young uncle to Doris's sons. He completed medical school in 1963 at the University of Alberta. In 1964 Martin married Marilyn Wolodarsky and together they had three children, Jennifer, Emily and Benjamin. The family moved to Boston and then New Haven where Martin completed his residency and training, specializing in hematology at Tufts University and then working as a post-doctoral fellow at Yale before returning to Winnipeg. As the children grew, the family summered at the wonderful cottage they built at Hillside Beach on Lake Winnipeg. Martin had a 33 year career as a medical oncologist and faculty member with CancerCare Manitoba and the University of Manitoba. Through his work he treated patients and held the position of Medical Director of the Clinical Investigations Office from the time of its inception. His research efforts focused on improving outcomes for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, investigating the use of chemotherapy drugs, identifying medications to alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea, and developing tools to help assess the quality of life of cancer patients. Martin collaborated with many other investigators, such as with the National Cancer Institute of Canada's Clinical Trials Group, and with individuals who became lifelong colleagues and friends. Many of these studies were published in notable journals, such as the American Journal of Clinical Oncology, Cancer, Cancer Treatment Reports, and the New England Journal of Medicine. Martin was key in the conceptual development of the outreach chemotherapy program in rural Manitoba, now known as Community Cancer Program Network. He was also instrumental in starting the Manitoba Palliative Care program, notably at Riverview Hospital. Martin was recognized by his peers and his patients as one of the most caring, compassionate, and empathetic of physicians. In 1997, Marilyn passed away after battling cancer. This was a difficult blow for a man who had fought the disease for so many years. Then in 2001, Martin married Francine Lazareck (nee Lacovetsky), also called Faigie by family. This was a new beginning for him and brought great joy to both. Together they enjoyed travel, spending time with their children and grandchildren, at the cottage. Martin was passionate about stamp collecting, woodworking, photography, and books, as well as keeping abreast of current events and developments in medical research. Most importantly Martin enjoyed spending time with his family as well as surrounding himself with the people he loved. He was an intense listener and man of great affection who, according to his grandsons, held the answers to so many of the questions life could present. He had a sharp wit that both entertained and chided. He could be jovial or melancholy; delightfully charming or shamelessly crude; side-splittingly funny or deadly serious; excitingly spontaneous or endlessly thoughtful. Martin is survived by his wife Francine, sister Doris Lubet, children Jennifer (Lawrence Pinsky), Emily, and Ben (Sarah Byrd), grandchildren Raffey, Hershey, Mitch and Milenne, Francine's daughters Alana and Sara, as well as many nieces and nephews and in-laws. Martin's legacy is of compassion and intellect, humour and affection. We are thankful for his love, and will cherish it and miss it. Thanks to the staff at GH3 Health Sciences Centre and the Palliative Care Unit at St. Boniface for the care provided. Special appreciation to cousin Joanne Mills for the much needed emotional support she provided. Martin's funeral took place on August 18 at Temple Shalom Synagogue and interment was at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. Martin was eulogized by his three children. Pallbearers were Alan Lacovetsky, Lawrence Pinsky, Dane Hershberg, Dana Lubet, Robert Brockie and grandsons Raffey and Hershey Levitt-Pinsky. Honorary pallbearers were Dave Chochinov, Steve Lubet and Shane Devlin. Donations gratefully accepted in Martin's legacy to CancerCare Manitoba, 204-787-4143.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 03, 2011