Arthur Louis Levin

Arthur Louis Levin, 86, died on April 22, 2024, in Sarasota, FL. He leaves behind Marcella, his wife of 62 years; son and daughter-in -law Eric and Brenda; 4 grandchildren: Brianne, Ryan, Renee, Jessica; 4 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; sister-in-law, Janet Brassard; and 4 nieces: Robin, Kari, Abby and Stacey. Arthur was born in The Bronx, NY and grew up in Bridgeport, CT where he graduated from Harding High School. Arthur served his country in the United States Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. After completing his B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy at Brown University, Art became a teacher at Grove School in Madison, CT where he met Marcella, a fellow teacher. With their marriage, he launched a 31-year career as an entrepreneur inside IBM, mostly in the Mid-Hudson Valley, NY, with teams in the US, Israel, France, Sweden and Mexico. He earned 4 main-frame computer patents and spent 4 years in IBM Europe HQ in Paris, as consultant to their Legal, Commercial/Industry Relations and Intellectual Property departments, advising on computer technology patent release strategies, program and database copyrights and telecommunications policy: work which included lobbying the EU Commission in Brussels. In parallel to IBM, Art and Marcella created and operated The Pleasant Valley Voice, a newspaper in Pleasant Valley, NY, where they lived for over 40 years. Art also served 12 years as a Town Councilman (Democrat) and 9 years as a Trustee of the Pleasant Valley Free Library. A print newspaperman at heart, Art created his first while in grammar school using a rubber-type rotary press given to him for his birthday. At Harding High, he created the school newspaper, The President’s Post. Then the Nebbish News at Grove School where emotionally challenged students were encouraged to express themselves in writing. The newspaper received international accolades from mental health professionals. On retiring from IBM, Art became an internationally recognized sommelier. He taught wine appreciation classes in the Mid-Hudson Valley, in Sarasota FL and in Paris. In NY, he tutored professionally on staff at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, served as an expert witness on wine in the NY Supreme Court, was a wine judge at the Dutchess County Fair and was a guest expert on various radio talk shows in the Hudson Valley and nationally. From 1994-2010, his column on wine and food called “Le Vin” appeared biweekly in 8 newspapers circulating throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley, the Harlem Valley and into Connecticut. In Sarasota, his column “This Art of Wine” was featured biweekly for 6 years in The Pelican Press and on their website. Past columns also appeared on The Internet Chef. In Sarasota, Art continued his community involvement, serving on the Boards of the Asolo Theatre Guild, The Players, ensemble NEW SRQ and the One Watergate Condominium, serving there for many years, 5 as president. He was a staunch supporter of the Sarasota Democratic Club. He was a member of the Liar’s Club, a writers group. And with Marcella was a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and a volunteer in the St. Martha nursing home ministry. Arthur was a good, caring man who will be sorely missed. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Martha Church, 200 N Orange Avenue, Sarasota, on June 7 at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow in the Community Room of One Watergate Condominium, 1111 N Gulfstream Avenue. In lieu of flowers, please donate to All Faiths Food Bank in his memory.

Tributes

Arthur Louis Levin

April 22, 2024