Thinking about the Levin family today. Sid still makes me chuckle when I remember his perfect timing for his perfect, funny comments. I am grateful to have worked with him for eight years that went by too fast.  A warm hug for Sally and family on this special day.  


 Dearest Sidney, I hadn’t heard that you already had gone to that big board room in the sky, so I left the traditional birthday greeting on your phone on  5th of May. Somehow I know you did receive it, and you are smiling as always. How dear you are to me, and to all who know you.  Thank you for your friendship and your encouragement all the years since the 1970s at WKAT Talkradio, “The Talk Of Miami”!  Sending you and Sally, and all the family, much love always,
Lynne 

Sid Levin was also my mentor and great friend when he was Florida’s Secretary of Commerce for Florida Governor Bob Graham.  I was privileged to serve as General Counsel of the Department of Commerce at that time.  The memories of working for Sid, along with all that he taught all of us, have bolstered me through the years.  He will always be a part of the life of myself and my family.

Sally and Family.

I was saddened to learn of Sidney's passing. Although it's been many years since I saw you and Sidney I have very pleasant memories of our youth. I knew from hearsay that he was very well thought of in Florida. May his memory be for a blessing.

Paul

Sid was extra, extra ordinary. Any single adjective that one might use to describe him in my opinion would be an understatement. I had the good fortune to know this exceptional man most of my life in various capacities. He was a gentleman’s gentleman. In Judaism we call this a mensch but even this rarest of traits does not fully define this amazing man. I know he would tell me, “now Jon don’t go overboard”; always humble, always graceful, always kind and always gentile.

He was always ready to share a story or give his sage advice whether it be about the key lime pie recipe at Joe’s or the future of Miami. He was a visionary, an optimist and a pragmatist I was always amazed how he balanced those traits; I suspect it had something to do with his humility and brilliance. 

When he walked into the room, it always felt a little brighter, when you had a meeting with him you always felt a little more special. Sid, I am so grateful to have known you, worked with you and learned from you. This world seems bit dimmer without you but I know that the heavens are so much brighter now. You will be missed, dear sweet Sidney.

There are few people who have impacted Miami-Dade County so positively and in so many ways as Sidney Levin. One of the founders of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council—and our 1985-1986 Chair—Levin was passionate and principled, a champion for this community, its development and its people. I am proud to say Sid was a member of the search committee that led to me joining the MDBC. 
Our hearts go out to Sidney Levin’s family. We will work diligently to continue to shine a light on all the wonderful things Miami has to offer, as he always did, and will forever be grateful for the foundation he built for our Magic City.

How do I share 40 years of memories about my mentor, my older brother figure,  my dearest friend and the man that changed my entire life? I can’t. I am indebted for life from all the years we spent laughing , planning, vacationing , dining and learning from one another. His impact on me was immeasurable. Sid was my guiding light. Cheerleader. Sounding block . I learned about life, politics and how to lead by example. Sid , Sally and their family became my extended family over four decades. My heart has a hole that will be there till the day I die. I’m eternally grateful Sid was part of my life for 40 years. And had it not been for him , I never would had the wife and daughter I have today. I love you Sid. See you sometime in our next chapter.  

Sally and family - You probably don't remember me, but I served as the Secretary of Environmental Regulation at the same time that Sid served as the Secretary of Commerce for Governor Bob Graham.   That is when Sid and I met and it was the start of a great working relationship. Sid was the "star" of the Graham administration and just knowing and observing Sid was an honor and privilege.  He was a good friend and I like to think that we did many good things for the State of Florida.  Most people do not know or appreciate the sacrifices that people like Sid and you had to make in order for Sid to leave Miami and work in Tallahassee for Governor Graham.  I know that Sid was a great Floridian and should be remembered for his work for the State as well his work in Dade County. I shall never forget Sid and the great times we had together.  As far as I am concerned he was the best Florida Secretary of Commerce.  I wish the very best for you and your family.  If I can ever be of assistance, please call me as I am still in Tallahassee.  Jake

I had the privilege of working with Sid at FPL for  about 16 years.  My earliest memories are of attending “night school” with Sid for several months after we were elected officers of the company.  It was an intense time of learning  the principles of the Deming  approach to Quality Improvement added on to our regular responsibilities.  I fondly remember Sid’s sense of humor during those stressful times and his unflappable demeanor throughout our time at FPL. He was a genuine friend who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.   Mike Davis

Síd Levin was an executive with Florida Power & Light Company for over 16 years. We were fortunate to have had a community leader of his magnitude lead our external affairs & corporate communications department for so many years.
 
Sid was deeply dedicated to the communities we serve. At FPL, he will always be remembered fondly for his integrity, willingness to serve and passion for bettering the lives of all people in the state of Florida. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sid’s wife Sally, his family and his many friends.
 
Deb Caplan
Executive Vice President
Human Resources & Corporate Services
NextEra Energy, Inc.
Florida Power & Light Company

Sid was there for me - he was there for everyone - through my days at Florida Department of Commerce and then law practice.  He kept track of my progress, he cheered me on and always had uplifting comments.  He taught us how to move past problems.  We all learned the best economic development practices from Sid. He has left a remarkable footprint in the history of this State - and he did it all with love, grace and dignity. WHAT A GREAT LIFE he lived. Thank you Sid ! 

Sid was ever present, ever humble, ever strong, ever steadfast and ever supportive.   His leadership and love for this community is everlasting.  I shall miss him but am better for having known him.

Prayers to his family and Rest In Peace, my friend.

Sid was one of my favorite people.. He was one of the first persons I met When I came to Miami. As a founder of the Beacon Council he quickly took me under his wing and helped guide me in my new position and new city. Sid and I shared a common vision of the role of the Beacon Council. He was always there to mentor me ..guide me ..scold me  privately in his own way  when he felt I was off base. I enjoyed our many lunches where we discussed everything from family ..to politics.. to his beloved "Bug".

Sid was also one of the folks "designated" by the powers that be at the time at BC  to tell me my days at BC were "over" yet he kept a smile and continued to meet with me long after I left the BC. ..still a friend ..still supportive..still there when I needed to talk to someone I admired and respected.
I shall miss him..we ALL will miss him..
RIP my friend

Sid was a wise and humble leader. As a Past Chair of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce he led with distinction and was a life long supporter of our organization. His presence at our Trustee Luncheon was steadfast. For as long as I’ve been a member, Sid was always there, always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say. It’s hard to imagine the lunches with out him. Sid, you’ll forever have a seat at our table.  

Sid was my mentor and my constant reminder on what was good and honest in Dade county, I was a better person because of his advice and his friendship. I will always miss the lunches we had, and his pride in his family.  To his wife which he always spoke of with such love and caring, my deepest sympathy. To the rest of the family I send my daily prayer.  I will always miss his laughter and his stories of what the county was all about. Rest in peace my friend we will never be the same without you. There is so much more I could say about him that I could write a book. Respectfully Commissioner Natacha Seijas


	Amidst the chaos and hardships our world presents, Sidney was always able to discern the best course of action. He had a keen sense of the human condition and how to best approach its flaws and shortcomings to improve it. He knew how to laugh and poke fun at himself; he was self deprecating when called upon to be so. He was caring to friends and gave sage advice when asked, never imposing or being overbearing.  He had that rare gift of being able to describe issues and problems and offer wise solutions without criticizing or uttering harsh words.  He was soft spoken, but his words carried weight: they were proven true time and time again. 

	Sidney was a friend, a father, a mentor, a community leader and he succeeded in each of these endeavors. He was a renaissance man in every sense of the word. Everyone lucky enough to have been touched by his spirit was better for it. He was a builder, a problem solver; a man always on the lookout to leaving things better than when he found them.  He never sought glory for his own aggrandizement; if you wanted a steady, no nonsense individual who would get things done, get them done right, without drama or personal fanfare Sidney was your leader. He was honest, ethical to the core and could be counted on to never waiver from the right course of action.

	Sidney had flaws, he was like all of us, afflicted by the human condition. But he strived to rise above our mundane existence and be a better person. That’s the Sidney I knew: a man who always welcomed you with a smile, who could turn sour lemons into lemonade, and would always be there for you through good times and bad times - never waivering his enthusiasm and interest.  

	The world would be a better place if there were a thousand men like Sidney walking the earth.  His spirit, his wisdom and his friendship will be missed by those who knew him and by those who never did, but were touched by the good deeds he did on behalf of our community.  

Mayco Villafaña

What does one say when you lose a soul mate, an adopted brother, a best friend?  Sid's passing hit me like a freight train and has left me aching and teary eyed. Sid was such a special man and much more than a special friend. A loving husband to his wife Sally and caring father to his family, Sidney was also responsive and committed to what was good and needed in our community. He was a sage, a thoughtful advisor, a mentor, and counselor --- a go to person for the many who sought his advice. What a joy it was when we worked together to create the Beacon Council and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Sid was a remarkably effective leader who served his community with distinction, integrity and love. I will miss so much more than our three-hour dinners together.

Sid was an outstanding citizen.In his myriad of positions he always performed outstandingly He was always warm and affectionate toward me even though we saw each other less in recent years.

Sid and I worked on the start of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. He was a pleasure to work with and always had ideas to make things better. The Bureau would not have succeeded without his leadership.

I wish his family the very best in their bereavement
Steve Sonnabend

Space is reserved in life for special extraordinary people. Sid was a mentor to me and a role model for many people in South Florida.  He helped me shape my life. He had several special talents that I observed: he could eliminate the noise. Whether it was as an advertising executive or a County Commissioner or one of the founders of the Beacon Council or at FPL, focus in a gentle and civil way was how he achieved a mountain of accomplishments for the betterment of people not himself. Sid was inwardly proud of how people rallied to assist those less fortunate. His humor brought so many smiles to so many people. A selfless leader with rare and beautiful attributes. A wise man blessed to be in our midst. Always smiling and caring and feeling for others. The years that passed after Sid and I got to work together often became my learning years to look up to what he shared with me just being Sid. I am forever grateful for you dear Sid and the wonderful joy you brought to so many, me being only one . You have everlasting life to keep sharing with those with whom you connected so well. God’s speed dear friend. 
Steve Nostrand

OBITUARY

Sidney Levin

5 May, 1935 – 14 March, 2019

Lakeside Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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