Philip Levinsky

Philip Herald Levinsky passed away peacefully on June 7, 2024, at the age of 97. He was born in Portland on Oct. 6, 1926 to Jacob N. and Goldie Romanow Levinsky. Phil attended Portland schools and graduated from Deering High in 1944. At Deering he participated on the tennis team and Cadets drill team.
Phil joined the Army Air Corps during World War II and was responsible for maintaining airplanes. Phil was very proud of his service to his country and wore his veteran's cap proudly.
Upon returning to Portland, Phil worked with his father at what was then known as New England Army Supply Company. At that time the store, which later became Levinsky's, sold men's clothing, footwear, and big and tall attire.
Philip married Elizabeth Zaitlin of Saco in 1951 and moved to an apartment on Grant Street in Portland. When Elizabeth became pregnant with their first child, Kenny, they purchased a home on Pya Road in which they lived for the next 70 years. Bruce and Eric followed in 1955 and 1958.
During the 1960s, the business began to grow as less formal attire became popular with men and women. Navy blue bell-bottom dungarees, web belts, chambray shirts, and other items became hip. Phil had the philosophy that if it's not on the shelf you can't sell it, so he literally stocked his shelves to the ceiling and made good use of the two-story ladder on wheels to serve his customers.
Friendly and welcoming by nature, the business thrived as Phil's longtime customers and newcomers knew they could depend on him to have what they wanted and in their size. Phil enjoyed getting to know his customers and as a sign of appreciation, he would offer them a Levinsky's comb and a candy root beer barrel! His three sons all joined him at Levinsky's.
Phil became very active in the Temple Beth El brotherhood after his father's death in 1982 and led the daily morning service for many years. In his later years, Phil enjoyed gardening in his backyard and his good-sized plot was filled with vegetables and flowers.
Philip and Elizabeth had a large group of friends who gathered on a frequent basis, especially around holidays. As Phil and Elizabeth reached retirement, they enjoyed wintering in Pompano Beach, Fla. They summered at 5 Scollard Rd. in Old Orchard Beach and opened their home daily for visits from their family and friends.
Phil was a lifelong tennis player. Although a strong player, he would rather be involved in a competitive hard-hitting rally than win a point.
Phil and Liz spent their last two years at the Birchwoods at Canco, where Phil won the hearts of the staff and other residents with his piano playing, compliments and humor.
Philip was predeceased by his parents; beautiful wife of 72 years Elizabeth; brother, Royal, sister, Saralee Harrisburg, brothers-in law Irving (Ruth) Zaitlin and Harry (Evelyn) Zaitlin, sister-in-law, Dorothy Cooper; niece Sandra Rae (Zaitlin) Sime and nephew, David Zaitlin.
He is survived by his sister, Faye (Marvin) Snider, brothers-in-law, Ben Cooper and Robert Harrisburg; his sons Kenneth (Nancy Silverman), Bruce (Helene Rodrigue) and Eric (Lisa Benson) Levinsky; his grandchildren Denise (Nick) Coughlin, Isaac (Terry Storella) Levinsky, Jacob (Pauline McCann) Levinsky, Samuel (Jessica Moser) Levinsky, Ian (Lauren Augustine) Levinsky, Emma (Brenden) O'Brien, Andrea Levinsky and Gregory Levinsky; his great-grandchildren Brendan Coughlin, Leon Levinsky and Anthony Storella Levinsky; and many beloved nieces, nephews and their children
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help Phil's great-grandson, Anthony Storella Levinsky, who is fighting CASK Gene Disorder and needs lifesaving gene therapy. You may donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/anthony-has-a-life-threatening-brain-disease