Irving "Irv" Lev

Irving "Irv" Lev, 102, passed away peacefully on Nov.20th in Heritage Manor with his eldest son Steve by his side. Irving Lev was born on October 12, 1922, the 3rd son of 5 to Russian immigrants, Louis Lev and Bessie Gessen. Irv graduated from Woodrow Wilson in 1940. He finished one semester at OSU and then enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He trained as a navigator on the B-17. He and his crew were stationed at Defoe Green airbase in England. Upon completion of his 35 missions Irv chose to train as an air force pilot in southern California. While in California he corresponded with Youngstown native Alice Raful. They were married on July 27, 1945 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Shortly thereafter, the war ended. Irv and his new wife settled in the Bay area. Irv chose to use his GI bill to go to the University of California in Berkeley. He graduated 4 years later with a degree in mechanical engineering. His first child, Steven Lev, was born in 1948. Upon graduation, Irv worked as an engineer for a heating firm, designing heating units. His father, Louis, who had become a successful home builder in Youngstown, asked Irv if he would like to come back to Youngstown to join him in business. Irv was happy to help out and Louis Lev and Son was born. Irv expanded the business, building bigger homes and eventually got into building housing developments. He made a number of 40-60 unit developments in the Youngstown area, one in Boardman, one in Austintown, and one on the South Side of Youngstown.. Daughter Roslyn was born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1950. Irv built a house for his parents in Boardman and shortly thereafter he built a house right around the corner for his family. Third child Douglas was born in 1953. Irv prospered, worked hard developing land, making bids, and building houses. He played hard too. He organized fishing trips to Canada almost every year with friends. He was active in the temple and participated in a number of musicals that the temple put on. He enjoyed playing golf. He was an avid bridge player. The family moved to Youngstown's North Side in 1960. Irv retired at the age of 65 in 1987. He didn't just sit around though, he learned to use a computer and used it to keep his meticulous records He was an avid gardener. He enjoyed cooking, He made pickles every year, both in jars and in a crock. He enjoyed playing handball. He enjoyed watching football, especially Ohio State, the Browns and the Steelers. He served on the boards of several non-profits including the Doris Burdman Home, Goodwill Industries, and the Jewish Federation. He worked for the Youngstown Planning Commision and sometimes worked as an expert witness for the courts when called upon to do so. In addition, he was always ready to help his wonderful wife's work in helping underpriveldged people. When the Russian government allowed many Jews to migrate to the USA, the Youngstown area became a place where hundreds of Russian Jews came to resettle. Irv became the point person in charge of helping the Russians with housing, furniture and getting jobs. He was like a messiah to hundreds of Jews who transitioned to life in America in Youngstown. Irv Lev was a very strong man and outlived all of his brothers and friends. His wonderful wife, Alice, passed away in 2016. In 2018, son Doug moved back to Youngstown and Irv and Doug lived in the house that Irv built on the North Side. Irv will be remembered as a community leader, a fun loving man who was always able to make people laugh. He was an excellent provider for his beloved family. He lived his life with passion. He will be missed by those who knew him and especially by his 3 children, 4 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Funeral service will be held at 10:30am, Sunday, Nov. 24th in Shriver Allison Courtley Weller King Funeral Home with visitation from 10:00am until the start of the service. Interment will follow at the Rodef Sholom Cemetery. Contributions in Irv's memory may be made to Heritage Manor or to Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom. Professional arrangements were handled by Shriver -Allison- Courtley-Weller -King Funeral Home Friends and family may view this obituary and share memories and condolences at www.shriverallisoncourtleyfuneralhome.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Irving " Irv " Lev, please visit our floral store.