Sanford “Sandy” Levine
MEMPHIS - died Friday, Dec. 4 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 83.
Born March 29, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, he was the middle son of the late Ann and Hyman Levine. He graduated from Brooklyn’s James Madison High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in textile engineering from North Carolina State University. After college, he returned to New York to work with his father in the family textile business, Weavers Morgan. He built a successful career in sales, establishing strong relationships with clients around the country. His position took him and his family to High Point, North Carolina; Northbrook, Illinois; and ultimately back to New York City when the business was purchased by Malden Mills. There, he met Phylis (nee Goldberg), to whom he was married for more than 41 years.
In 1985, Sandy relocated to Memphis. For more than 25 years, he owned and operated Able Advertising (formerly Advertising Specialties of Memphis), a local promotional products distributorship. He was a longtime member of Baron Hirsch Congregation and a tireless volunteer for the Margolin Hebrew Academy/feinstone Yeshiva of the South for many years.
Sandy was an avid sports fan and especially loved the NC State Wolfpack, Washington Redskins and Brooklyn (later, Los Angeles) Dodgers. He was a voracious reader, devouring thrillers and crime novels. He loved learning, especially about history (World War II in particular); his broad base of knowledge fueled his love of crossword puzzles, quiz shows and trivia games. Sandy valued education and was proud to have put his five children through college. He had a true gift as a conversationalist, which served him well in his sales career, volunteer work and personal relationships. Sandy will be remembered for his distinctive deep voice, positive attitude, genuine integrity, kind heart and warm personality.
He is survived by two brothers, Ronnie Levine of West Palm Beach, Florida, and George (Janice) Levine of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; his wife Phylis, who lovingly cared for him throughout his illness; five children: Jill Harris of North Andover, Massachusetts, Edie Levine (Luis Goldstein) of Hallandale, Florida, Mindy (Bob) Hines of Andover, Massachusetts, Amara Levine-reich (Eli Reich) of Memphis and Zev Levine of Memphis; six grandchildren: Marissa (Joel) Gillis, Michelle (Raymond) Golenski, David Harris, Alison (Eshed) Resch, Madison Hines and Judah Reich; and one great-granddaughter.
Services were held Sunday, Dec. 6, with burial in Baron Hirsch Cemetery. Canale Funeral Directors had charge.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his memory be directed to Baron Hirsch Congregation, Margolin Hebrew Academy/feinstone Yeshiva of the South or Bornblum Jewish Community School.