By Mary Malloy
Born on Nov. 26, 1917, in Queens, Levitt was the son of two tailors who taught their two sons the meaning of honest work and perseverance. "Of course he went into their business," said Harry Levitt, Murray's son. "After he and my uncle served a tour of duty in the South Pacific in World War II, they drove around looking for a location to open up their own shop, and thought Lynbrook would be a good spot."
The year was 1946, and the Levitt brothers started a new life in Lynbrook, opening Mur-Lee's Men's and Boys' Shop, combining the names of Murray and his brother, Lee. Soon after, Murray met and married Doreen Gilmore, who worked at the nearby Picker's Pharmacy on Atlantic Avenue. "She was right across the street from his shop," said Harry. By 1948, Murray was part of the Merchant's Association, a precursor to the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce.
"Murray has always been a good friend," said Rhonda Glickman, the chamber's vice president of public relations and vice president of Richner Communications, publishers of the Herald. "He helped me early on with my career, and was instrumental in helping me become a board member on the chamber. He was always ready, willing and able to help."
Although Levitt, who had lived in North Woodmere since 1960, was not active in the business for many years, leaving the day-to-day operation of Mur-Lee's to Harry and another son, Bruce, his employees spoke fondly of him. "I worked with Murray here for 18 years," said Nick Clarelli, an East Rockaway resident. "He was the finest man I have ever worked for. He was more considerate than anyone, and cared very much for his employees." This year the shop celebrates its 60th year on Atlantic Avenue in Lynbrook.
Levitt was a resident of an assisted living facility when he died, having battled Parkinson's disease for many years. "He has always beaten the odds," said Harry. "From Parkinson's to colon cancer to congestive heart failure. He was like the Energizer bunny -- he just kept going. But in the end, it was old age that caught up with him."
Levitt and his family were members of Congregation Beth David in Lynbrook. His boys had their bar mitzvahs there, and Murray and Doreen renewed their wedding vows there on their 25th anniversary. The congregation's rabbi, Howard Diamond, delivered the eulogy for Levitt at the synagogue last Monday. "He was a bastion of the community," said Diamond. "He loved his family, his synagogue and his community. He was a wealth of information, the kind of guy that even leaders would go to for help. He left a great family, and they became great because they learned it from him."
"He was a leader in every sense of the word," said Bill Gaylor, proprietor of the Lyn Gift Shop, across from Mur-Lee's, and executive vice president of the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce. "He was an icon in Lynbrook, and helped organize the businesses here. He was a wonderful father and a benevolent individual. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed."
According to Harry Levitt, Lynbrook was a big part of his father's life. "He lived and breathed this village," he said. "But it was not all business for him. He used to sponsor a young men's baseball league, part of the Stan Musial series, and they played at Greis Park. He was always there to lend a hand to anyone. I remember going to the store late at night with him because someone needed something at the last minute. He was always donating to charities, always giving loans and helping local organizations." One year, as a goodwill gesture, Harry recalled, his father handed out green yarmulkes on St. Patrick's Day. "That's just the kind of guy he was."
Doreen died in 1985. Levitt is survived by his second wife, Roslyn; sons Harry and his wife, Stacy; and Bruce and his wife, Judy; a brother, Lee, and his wife, Meryl; a daughter, Abby Ferrara and her husband, Dominick; and his grandchildren, Dana, Zachary, Jillian, Hally, Jeremy, Dylan, Dara and Danielle.
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
