LAURENCE B. LEVINE

LEVINE--Laurence Brandt, age 71 of New York City, Palm Beach, FL, and Washington Depot, CT, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning of June 12th, 2013. Born in New York City on December 17th, 1941, the son of Beulah (Brandt) Levine and Martin Levine, Mr. Levine attended The Fieldston School in his elementary and high school years. He was a college graduate of Princeton University, Class of 1963, where he was awarded the Francis Biddle Prize. He graduated from the Stanford University School of Law in 1967, and was admitted to the New York and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. Shortly after his graduation from Stanford, Mr. Levine became Sr. Vice President and the youngest voting shareholder at Drexel Burnham and Co. He subsequently became the Corporate Planning Officer at the Ogden Corporation (NYSE). Later, he became Executive Vice President and Director of Investment Banking at Henry Ansbacher & Co. (New York, London). He then filled the same role at Rothschild Inc. and Smith New Court. His specialty was in Mergers and Acquisitions within the shipping and transportation industries, with notable clients such as the Sun Oil Company and many others. Mr. Levine spent many years in Palm Beach, FL, where he was a founder of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, as well as Chairman of The Dreyfoos School of The Arts Foundation. He was a member of the board of directors of the Manhattan Theater Club, The Drama League of New York, Musica Sacra, and Ballet Florida. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and most recently a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and the Lions Club in Washington Depot, Ct. He was a member of The Old Oaks Club in Purchase, NY and the Harmonie Club of New York City. He is survived by his partner of many years, Nancy Winston; his son, Blair Brandt, of New York City; and his former wife, Laura Vitale Levine, of Palm Beach, FL. Burial will take place Wednesday, June 19th at 1:00pm at Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, www.stjohnswashington.org, or to The Dreyfoos School of the Arts, www.awdsoa.org. Memorial service information to follow.