Paul Pincus Lavitt

Paul Pincus Lavitt was born in Marion, NC on October 16,1930 and passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday November 25, 2023. Paul grew up mostly in Western NC (Marion, Rutherfordton, Asheville) and Gaffney, SC before settling in Hickory, NC where he lived for much of his life raising his family and starting a successful hosiery manufacturing business.

He attended Jamaica High School for two years in NY graduating in 1948, while his dad, Harry worked in hosiery sales in New York City. Paul went on to attend NC State University Class of 1952, majoring in textile chemistry and textile engineering. He took great pride in Wolfpack athletics as a prominent member of the Wolfpack club and head of the Catawba Valley chapter for many years.

Paul was a proud US Army veteran, serving during the Korean War, honorably discharged in 1960 at the rank of Captain with commendation for his work on the bullet proof vest and logistics. After his military service, he founded Paul Lavitt Mills in 1961 in his garage with his wife Pauline in Hickory, North Carolina. He grew Paul Lavitt Mills into a thriving business, employing over 240 “family” employees until it closed in 2006. He was an honest, hardworking businessman. A man of his word and highly principled. He never needed a contract as his word was his bond.

Paul was a leader in the Hickory community for years with his beloved wife Pauline. He helped start the Hosiery Technology Center which exists today as the Manufacturing Solutions Center and was a past president of the Catawba Valley Hosiery Association and longtime member for National Hosiery Manufactures. He received their prestigious, Distinguished Man of the Year in 1995.

Paul had a deep commitment and love of Judaism and community. He was President of the Hickory Jewish Center and member of Temple Israel in Charlotte and B’nai Torah in Boca Raton. He was an avid supporter of Israel, AIPAC and US Maccabiah sports. He was one of the original givers to the building of the Jewish Community Center and synagogues in Charlotte at Shalom Park. He raised his family with strong Judeo-Christian values fighting bigotry and antisemitism.

Paul had a dry wit, with an engaging sense of humor. He loved people, talking with anyone and everyone espousing optimism and positive mental attitude through all of life’s challenges. As a devout family man, he supported his children’s and grandchildren’s basketball, golf and business activities. He is survived by his two sons and their wives Arthur and Julie Lavitt and Howard & Jodi Lavitt; grandchildren Brent Lavitt and his fiancé Casey King, Jacqueline and Steve Michaelsen, Austin Lavitt, Jake Lavitt and Brandon Lavitt; his brother Leonard and his wife Rita.

The funeral will be held at the Hebrew Cemetery of Greater Charlotte ,1801 Statesville Avenue, in Charlotte at 11:00 am Tuesday November 28, 2023. Shiva will begin at the home of Arthur and Julie Lavitt, 7235 Governors Row, Charlotte, NC after the service and on Wednesday November 29.