Michel Levant

Michel Levant (Mike), age 92, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, passed away in his sleep on
April 5, 2025, in the overnight hours after being surrounded by his family earlier in the
afternoon. He is survived by his wife, Ceile Levant; son, Marc Levant and his wife,
Diane Levant; daughter, Suzanne Rotbert and her husband, Jim Dawson;
grandchildren: Danielle Rotbert and Jamie Rotbert; sister, Fannette Modek; and brother-
in-law, Allan Katz. Mike was buried at South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth,
Florida.
Mike was born in Courbevoie, France on October 20, 1932, to the late James Levant
and Jean Katznelson. After emigrating from France to the United States, the family
settled in Lake Huntington, NY and operated the Belmont Hotel in the Catskill
Mountains, where Mike attended a one room schoolhouse in Narrowsburg and
eventually met Ceile at the age of 16. At that time, he was known as "Frenchie"
because he still rolled his "R's." Mike attended Syracuse University and Syracuse law
school. Mike enrolled in the U.S. Air Force while at Syracuse, performing two active-
duty tours with the Judge Advocate General core – one in Burlington, Vermont, where
his son Marc was born and one in Paris, France, where his daughter Suzanne was
born. Mike was appointed as an Administrative Law Judge with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission and, having remained in the Air Force Reserves, earned the
rank of Brigadier General as counterpart to the Judge Advocate General at Andrews Air
Force Base. Mike was also very involved in the American Bar Association and well-
respected and liked by his colleagues – so much so that he was elected to serve as the
Chairman of the Judicial Division of the ABA!
Mike was a loving husband and father and always fought hard for his loved ones when
he sensed an injustice. He was a staunch believer in education and working hard. He
was a moral pillar, believing in truth and honesty always, and he instilled these values in
his children.
Mike and Ceile traveled the world together during his retirement, visiting almost every
continent and countless different countries! Mike also wrote a memoir of his very
interesting life. He was a wonderful grandfather to his two grandchildren – very present
in their lives. Mike enjoyed making his family laugh, whether by wearing funny hats or
telling a good joke (which he did a lot)! While he had a tough time expressing his
feelings verbally, he always made his love known, and his family will forever hold his
memory close in their hearts.
Services entrusted to Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, 1600 N. University Drive, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024.