Levonian, Timothy F.
Timothy (Tim) Foster Levonian, 64, born early and unexpectedly at home, passed away early and unexpectedly at his home on February 6, 2021.
He is survived by his brother Jaime, his cousins Ellen and Avak (Meline) Grigorian and the Grigorian girls Ani, Alina and Anoush.
He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Arsen and Zabel Levonian, his maternal grandmother Mona M. Foster, his aunts Altoun Levonian and Vartiny (Levonian) Grigorian and his uncle Chatschik Grigorian. Tim was born at home three months prematurely, weighed less than two pounds at birth and spent the first ninety days of life in an incubator. The odds of him surviving in that era were extremely slim, but he did survive. However, due to his extreme prematurity he was severely hearing impaired and had developmental limitations. Either of those handicaps alone would have caused a difficult life journey. Tim was beset by both.
Before starting school his parents moved to the Northcenter neighborhood so Tim could attend Bell School which had a Deaf and Hearing Impaired Department. There Tim met other children with similiar circumstances and benefited from a kind and caring faculty. He learned American Sign Language and how to read lips. He also experienced the discrimination and cruelty of those made uncomfortable by kids who are different through no fault of their own. That prejudice and ignorance would follow him the rest of his life.
After Bell Tim attended Lane Tech and, while he struggled with the academic rigor, he graduated and was a member of the Tennis (varsity letter) and Bowling teams.
He attended college for two years at the Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology and for two years at the Technical Vocational Institute in St. Paul, Minn., where he earned a degree in Machine Tool Processes.
Tim worked a succession of manufacturing jobs where he discovered the factory floor was not always the most welcoming environment for someone needing a bit more patience, tolerance and understanding. Family assistance secured a job at Midtown Tennis Club where he worked for many years. His last job was at Jewel Food Store in Lincoln Square where he worked for nearly twenty years, retiring in Spring, 2018,
Tim was a sports fan, particularly of the Cubs, the championship-era Bulls and Professional Wrestling. From childhood he enjoyed the Three Stooges. He and his Dad went on many vacations together with Las Vegas a favorite destination. Tim liked Roulette and frequented several local video slots parlors. Tim was an innocent in a not so innocent world which left him vulnerable to those who would take advantage. At the same time he was a divining rod for all he met. If you were kind, open, compassionate and possessed of grace Tim was a welcoming vessel.
Although Tim had a life rife with adversity he was mightily blessed with parents who selflessly loved, nurtured, protected and watched over him until their final days. His relatives always accepted him completely without reservation.
It’s said the most difficult roads lead to the most beautiful destinations. If that’s true Tim’s in a paradise where there are sunny skies, good food, no pain and he can hear everything he couldn’t in this life; birds singing, rain falling, music and the voices of family and friends- and his own voice.
His brother would like to thank his oldest friend Jim Dwyer, his caregiver Warren Sanchez, his trainer David Zielinski, Chris Kersten and his good caring neighbors the Farleys, the Kosekis and Greg Welter. Thanks also to the caring medical professionals who worked with Tim the last several years: Dr. Steven Fox, Dr. Jennifer Connor, Dr. Brad Ruff, Erin Kenar, Angela Perizes and Hannah from Glen Crest. Private services were held with Rev. Narek Garabedian presiding.
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