Obituary: Norman A. Levine / Lawyer, children's coach and
father figure to many
Aug. 25, 1946 - Oct. 29, 2005
Monday, October 31, 2005
By Tim Grant, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A steady stream of young adults has been coming back to the small town
of New Castle in Lawrence County to pay their last respects to
Norman A. Levine, a man who was a father figure to many children who
weren't his own.
Mr. Levine, a prominent New Castle lawyer, died Saturday morning
at home in his sleep, three days after he'd undergone a medical
procedure for a heart-related ailment. He was 59.
While Mr. Levine was best known in the community for his work as
a lawyer and as the voice of the Neshannock Lancers football and
basketball teams, the lifelong resident of New Castle is remembered
now as a devoted family man and a mentor to his children's friends.
"We were the parents who had all the kids at our house," said
Bonnie Levine, his wife of 26 years. "He was very well liked by
everyone and he was a very good husband."
The father of four coached every sport his children played --
soccer, baseball and basketball -- through all levels of school,
forming close relationships with their teammates and friends. He
frequently attended rock concerts with the youngsters, sometimes
sitting in the front row.
"He had a personality about him that just drew people to him,"
said Arin Keough, 30, of Churchill, his older daughter. "He had an
unbelievable, hearty laugh that rang through the house."
Bradley Levine, 18, said all of his friends thought of his father
as theirs too. He is considering following in his father's footsteps
and also becoming a lawyer. He is majoring in philosophy at Hofstra
University in Long Island, N.Y.
"The main thing he always preached to me is education," his son
said. "Normally, I'd stay here with my mom. But I know he'd want me
to go back to school and that's what I plan to do."
Mr. Levine, who joined his father's law firm after passing the
bar exam, practiced law for 30 years in New Castle.
He also served on many boards, including those of the
Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, the United Way, Lawrence
County Humane Society and the Neshannock school board. He was a
member of Temple Hadar Israel Synagogue where he served as a past
president.
In addition to his wife, son and daughter, Mr. Levine is survived
by his mother, Rose Katz Levine of New Castle; another daughter,
Jessica Levine of Washington, D.C.; and another son, Brian Levine of
New Castle; brothers Stanley Levine of Pittsburgh and Ellis Levine
of Buffalo, N.Y.; and one grandchild.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today, one hour before
the service at 11 a.m. in the R. Cunningham Funeral Home, 2429
Wilmington Road, New Castle. Burial will be in Tifereth Israel
Cemetery. |
