Harold S. Levitan

Levitan-Harold S., age 93, of Dedham, formerly of Sharon, died at his residence on Thursday, March 21, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves his wife of 70 years, Adeline (Kaufman) Levitan; his children Susan Taylor and husband Edgar of Chamberlain, Maine,  son David of Cambridge, MA,  son Mark and wife Gina Zizza of Carlisle, MA, son Robert and wife Shari of Sharon, MA, and  grandson Jack Taylor. Harold was a graduate of Rome (NY) Free Academy, Harvard College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and Framingham State University. He served in the US Army during WWII as a Japanese interpreter in the Pacific Theatre. Following a career as a pharmacist, he discovered his true calling as a high school science teacher. He was a gifted teacher who inspired hundreds of Foxboro High School students with his sense of wonder about biology, chemistry and genetics. A passionate and long-suffering Red Sox fan, his love for baseball also extended to his many years of service as an umpire for Little League baseball, and high school girls’ softball and boys’ baseball. His many interests included golf, traveling, Broadway musicals and philately, but his greatest passion (aside from his wife and family) was the American Civil War. He collected a vast library of publications and memorabilia, and wrote a weekly column, “This Week in the Civil War,” for the Sharon Advocate during the Civil War centennial years. He presented slide shows and seminars on topics such as “the role of Women in the Civil War,” for many civic organizations and senior centers well into his 80’s. He was known as a kind and loving man, full of good humor and an inveterate punster, and he always had a good word for anyone seeking advice or assistance. He will be missed. Services at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton St., Sharon MA, on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 2:00 pm. Following interment at Sharon Memorial Park, memorial observance will be at the home of Robert and Shari Levitan until 9 pm, and will continue Monday 12-3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to  Gentiva Hospice Foundation, 7801 Mesquite Bend Drive, Suite 105, Irving, TX 75063, for the benefit of the Southboro, MA office.