Marvin Levitt

            Marvin Levitt, WWII veteran, artist, teacher, father, grandfather, great grandfather and master tinkerer died on June 5, 2024 peacefully, in his sleep at 99 years old at Spiritrust Lutheran, The Village at Luther Ridge, Chambersburg, PA.  Born January 2, 1925 in Philadelphia PA to Sarah and Benjamin Levitt, he had a happy life in Northeast Philly, with his parents, brother Jules, and a full family of aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins.  He married Shirley E Gelb June 25, 1950 and raised three daughters together.  In addition to his parents, preceded in death were his wife Shirley April 16, 1998 and his brother Jules.  

            Marvin is survived by his three daughters, Meg Lizbeth Levitt of Philadelphia, Polly Willa Gorrell with husband John of Chambersburg, Jennifer Ann Levitt of Philadelphia;

two grandchildren Dr. Christopher Gorrell with wife Dr. Samantha Gorrell of Hatboro, Lauren Gorrell of Chambersburg; three great grandchildren, Michael, Eva and Jacob of Hatboro.

             He was enrolled in the early days of Tyler School of fine Art in Elkins Park and accumulated graduate degrees in art and education stopping short of a doctorate only because he did not wish to write a thesis.  He was awarded a Fullbright scholarship in sculpture which sent him to Italy. During the war years, he enlisted and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in the U. S. Army Air Corp., February 22, 1946. Marvin taught in local Philadelphia schools and at Pennland School of Crafts in North Carolina, as well as several other schools, then taking teaching positions in schools from Bucks County, PA to Princeton Regional Schools. After retiring from the public schools he continued teaching at the LBI Foundation of the Arts.

            In summers he took his family to Long Beach Island, NJ to visit his mentor and co-founder of the Tyler School, Boris Blai.  Blai asked him to help start up the LBI Foundation of the Arts, and he was able to teach there for 50 years or so.  After renting for many years, Shirley and Marvin bought their own house in Loveladies Harbor where they summered. He enjoyed teaching, sailing, and played a lively game of tennis until his late 80s. After the death of Shirley, his first wife, Marvin lived for 20 some years with his companion Suzanne Gordon, spending summers in Long Beach Island and winters in Long Boat Key until selling the LBI house in 2018 and moving permanently to Aviva Senior Living facility in Sarasota. There was much laughter and they were very happy until their declining heath forced them to separate and live with their respective families in early 2023.  Suzanne passed away in June of 2023. Marvin was a popular and prolific artist in Philadelphia, Levittown, Long Beach Island, NJ and Long Boat Key, FL, working continuously on one art project or another until losing his sight completely to glaucoma late 2022.  Marvin Levitt, 1925-2024- A life well lived.

            Arrangements are entrusted to Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home. At his request, there is no funeral or memorial, neither flowers or donations.