Bernard Levy

Levy, Bernard (Bernie)

Binghamton: Bernard (Bernie) Levy, 87, died peacefully on December 8, 2014, while in the loving presence of his wife, Beth, at home in Binghamton. He was predeceased by his daughters, Rebecca, and infant, Jessica; and his brothers, Elliot and Hap. He is survived by his wife, Beth Levy; his daughters Laura Swift (Doug), Michele Braco, Pam Ludwig (Jon), Sara Levy, Jody Hafey (Stephan Boeker), Rachel Reese (John Hyatt), Kirsten Marella (Bill), and sons-in-law, Mark Roth and Richard Braco. Bernie is also survived by his grandchildren, Amy Petrick, Leah Huppe, Peter Ludwig (Marta), David Ludwig (Shannon), Raquel and Megan Swift, Rebecca, Lizzy and Billy Marella, Jessica Hafey (Colton Kawamura), Alana and Ben Reese, Zachary Roth (Hollie), Marin and Ella Braco, and Claire and Anna Nassif; three great-grandchildren, Kelly Braco, Amanda Benjamin (Brandon) and Maya Ludwig; and two great-great- grandchildren, Dominick and Lance Benjamin; his twin brother, Ralph; and sister, Arline Cohn; several nieces and nephews. Bernie and Beth, along with their first five daughters, a dog and a pregnant cat, drove cross-country for his initial teaching position at Harpur College, which would later become Binghamton University, after earning his PhD in Medieval Literature from the University of California at Berkeley. He studied for his master's degree at the University of Michigan and his bachelor's at the University of Iowa, where he met Beth. Their wedding took place the same week as graduation, with Bernie missing the wedding rehearsal to finish his final class. Bernie soon became active in organizations and causes dedicated to civil rights and social advocacy for which he won the Citizen Action Phoenix Award. He served many years as a Binghamton City Democratic Committeeman and was also a leading member of the Binghamton Housing Authority's board of directors. His opinions and commentary were often seen on local editorial pages, and he wrote frequently for popular magazines, including AARP. He was a member of the Binghamton Bike Club and the Southern Tier Magic Club. In recent years he worked as a volunteer driver for the local hospice program. He was a long time member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, where he served as a lector, and was a member of its Holy Name Society. With a strong belief in the value of the arts, he was a great supporter of locally produced jazz music and local musicians. Throughout his life, he was an inspiration to all who knew him. He taught with passion and integrity, and loved with unending commitment. He was the husband that his wife had always hoped for, a loving father of eight daughters, and a civic-minded fighter who touched and lifted the spirits of all the many people he loved. A Memorial Mass will be offered at 12:00 noon on Friday, December 12, 2014, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Binghamton. Family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass at noon. Inurnment will be in Spring Forest Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Doctors without Borders, 333 7th Ave., New York, NY 10001-5004 or at donate.doctorswithoutborders.org. Arrangements by Bednarsky Funeral Home, Inc.