Funeral Details

Judge Joseph S. Levine, father of Peter (Aviva) Levavi of Skokie, was born in Boro Park, Brooklyn, graduated from Midwood High School, and Cornell University, where he joined Army ROTC. He proudly served his country in Germany in the Second Armored Division, Hell on Wheels, where he was honorably discharged in the rank of Captain in 1956. He returned to New York and earned his JD from NYU Law School on the GI Bill, and began the practice of law as general practitioner in the two-man firm of Caputo and Levine in downtown Brooklyn. In 1959, he married Harriet Medney Levine (deceased) and settled in Flatbush. He became a young Democrat, participated in the New York Constitutional Convention, and ran successfully for the 51st Assembly seat from Brooklyn in 1966. In 1970, he successfully ran for Civil Court Judge and served in the criminal court for nearly a decade. He moved the family moved to Orangeburg in Rockland County, New York. Justice Joseph S. Levine then ran successfully for New York State Supreme Court where he served in Brooklyn for more than 30 years. His caseload focused on medical malpractice and election law. Joe Levine was a proud member of the Respect for Law Alliance, and the New York State Guard where he reached the rank of General. He was a lover of travel, whether driving, flying, or cruising on the open seas visiting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Justice Joe Levine retired from the bench 15 years ago, and enjoyed splitting his time between Teaneck, New Jersey and Long Boat Key, Florida, where he has lived with Mary Zuckerbraun, the second love of his life. He is survived by Peter (Aviva) Levavi and their children Max and Bella, Burton (Gretchen) Levine and their son Josiah of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Jane (Adam) Tronick and their son Harrison of Stamford, Connecticut.