Obituary of Sherman F. Levey
April 1, 2018. Survived by his wife Deborah Ronnen; children Lynn, Ted (Jessica Ringwood) and Amy Levey; grand-daughter Paige Levey; step-children Sheli, Lia and Tal Ronnen; sister Joan Jacobs; niece Teddi Jacobs; nephews Perry Jacobs (Lisa), Lee Jacobs (Shelley); cousin Edith Warner, and many friends and fans.
Born to Ted and Etta Levey in 1935 on the 4th of July, Sherm lived most of his 82 years in Rochester. He earned a full scholarship to attend Syracuse University, and his academic success there yielded admission into the Syracuse University College of Law, where he was an editor of the Law Review and graduated with honors.
His early law career was both launched and championed by Sydney R. Rubin, a lifelong friend and influence. Together they formed the tax law firm of Rubin and Levey. Later they merged with Harris, Beach and Wilcox to form Harris, Beach, Wilcox, Rubin and Levey. Most recently, he was Of Counsel at Boylan Code, LLP, where he focused on estate planning. For many years he served as an adjunct professor of law at Cornell University Law School, Syracuse University College of Law and the Simon Business School of the University of Rochester.
Recently, he took great delight in the arrival of his granddaughter. His interests were varied and included traveling with his wife, attending tennis tournaments with his children, supporting the arts, and rooting for the Syracuse Orange basketball team for whom he played his freshman year. A political and news enthusiast, he was often skeptical but always optimistic about democracy, though not necessarily the process itself. Sherm appreciated that which was both familiar and new to him including sports, politics, law, film, literature, animals and always an interest in things that mattered to his children.
He was a natural problem solver with the highest aptitude for both words and numbers, and countless relatives, friends and clients relied on his exceptional intellect and unparalleled kindness to guide them. His commitment to his family was unwavering and a source of inspiration and comfort. He sponsored the Sherman F. Levey Distinguished Lawyer Lecture Series and was a founder and co-director of the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic at the Syracuse University College of Law.
Together with his wife, they underwrote exhibitions at the George Eastman Museum, the Memorial Art Gallery and also supported the RPO, the Eastman School of Music and Garth Fagan Dance. A particular note of joy was their involvement with the Eastman Young Artists Piano Competition. Sherm also served as Chair of the Jewish Home Board of Trustees and Vice Chair of the George Eastman Museum, he worked with the Rochester Area Community Foundation, and was on the board of WXXI.
Memorial Services will be held Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 3 PM at Temple Sinai (363 Penfield Rd.) with a reception to follow at the Genesee Valley Club (421 East Ave.) from 4:30-6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lollypop Farm or Jewish Senior Life Foundation in his memory.