Plandome, New York
A Teenage Rocker at Heart
See them there, those five adult children at the Dave Matthews Band concert? The ones huddled together, mortified? And note that blissful, aging teenager next to them, about 55 actually, in khaki pants and Docksiders, blue eyes blazing as he jumps up and down, bellowing his request: " 'Proudest Monkey'! 'Proudest Monkey!'"
By day, Jeff LeVeen of Plandome, N.Y., was a chieftain in the financial world, a partner at Cantor Fitzgerald, an Ivy Leaguer and the owner of two well-appointed homes and a golf handicap of 3. By night, he was a rock groupie who attended nearly a dozen Dave Matthews concerts a year.
You allowed a father like that his nuttiness. He plunked down and listened to Phish because one son asked him to. He negotiated with his wife, Christine, about discipline, pleading for leniency. He swept up his bucketful of kids to take them fishing, clothes shopping, to N.B.A. games.
He kept his privileged background and considerable achievements to himself, but boasted like crazy about the children. A happy man with a year-round tan, he would sing, "Now I am the proudest monkey you've ever seen!"
I worked for Keystone Mercy at the time, we all got memory cards and I picked Jeffrey,I kept the card and I pray for him every year on his anniversary.
Sue Simon
September 11, 2021 | Philadelphia, PA
Love the tribute above. I was in Jeffrey's high school class. I lived just around the block and when walking to Merriman School - I believe I walked by his house daily. I've been a Montanan since 1970, but Long Island, New York will be a part of me forever.
Sallie Ulsher
September 11, 2021 | Butte, MT | Classmate
I had the privilege of living across the street from Jeff and his awesome family for 20+ years but our lives were way more connected beyond just geographic proximity. Our fathers were the best of friends and he, his wife and his children are very much central to much of my and my siblings' childhood. Jeff's zest for life, love for his family and passions for golf, DMB and people was unrivaled. He is missed often but most especially on this day. The beauty amid the tragedy is that his his...
Gregory Harris Robson
September 11, 2021 | Friend
My high school classmate 1964 and number one player on paul d. schreiber high school. Friendly to all and an american patriot. God Bless you Jeffrey and your loving wife and children and grand children. Where did the time go from high school 64 to Vietnam and thankful I came home and you loved our country. semper fi
paul masi
September 10, 2021 | Classmate
I only know Jeff from his son Jeff who is married to my daughter Martha and thru his son I know that he must have been a wonderful family man because his son is a wonderful father, husband and son in law.
Jennifer Alexander
April 03, 2015 | Palo Alto, CA
I worked at Jefferies in LA when Jeff was in the NY office. After completing the 1989 Hawaiian Ironman, I was visiting clients in NY and Jeff orchestrated a celebratory dinner for me with some Jefferies employees. He was a joy to know an I think of him often. RIP my friend.-
Chris Schrobilgen
April 02, 2015 | San Diego, CA
Jeff will be remembered and sadly missed at our 50th H.S. Reunion, class of 1964, next weekend in Port Wasington.
Doug Pitman
September 05, 2014 | Whitefish, MT
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
S j. Friscia III
May 08, 2014 | Staten Island, NY
We love to talk to Jeff. His wife and kids they use to come every Friday night to amigos restaurant in port Washington. He was great guy and a great family that he loved very much rest in peace. Great people
Denise and Tom Cass
January 31, 2014 | Littleneck, NY
