Murray Abraham Levine

July 26, 1934 to March 12, 2024

Murray Abraham Levine was born on July 26, 1934 to Selig and Tillie Levine (Mintz). They met after they immigrated to America from Poland. Because Murray’s sisters were so much older than he, Murray was largely raised by them. When he was born, Rae (15), Sarah (13), and Lily (9) were so happy to have a boy! As a young child, Murray became uncle to his 6 nieces: Eve, Mimi, Roberta, Joan, Linda, and Geri and one nephew: Norman (may he rest in peace). Murray was beloved by all his nieces and nephew and made them laugh (uproariously at times) right up until the end. Family Sunday breakfasts turned into suppers. They would eat and talk and laugh and dance, and Murray along with Sol (Sarah’s husband) were at the center of the jolly good times. And there are home movies to prove it! Every family gathering was a party thanks to Murray. Murray was the last surviving sibling, may they all rest in peace.

Murray had a flare for entertainment and aspired to go into show business as a young man. He joined a drama club in Manhattan and appeared in many performances including “Golden Boy” and “Come Back Little Sheba,”. He was the Social Director in the Catskill Mountains and held many other non-showbiz jobs having felt guilty for not having a “normal job”. In 1955, Murray was drafted into the US Army after the fighting in the Korean War ended. Shortly after basic training, (which was no small feat for a scrawny young man like Murray), he entered a talent contest in which the winners would appear on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Murray’s act included singing, dancing, and comedy. He won the contest, performed on The Ed Sullivan , and received a special assignment in the Army, entertaining the troops for 2 years. Entertaining was Murray’s first great love.

Murray met his second great love, Barbara (Babs) Berger whom he married in 1964. Murray then began his long, successful career selling radio advertising time with his longest stint at Westinghouse. He and Barbara had 3 children, Robin (in 1966), Jill (in 1968) and Robert (in 1973), may he rest in peace. Shortly after Robin was born, the family moved to Long Island (Wintercress Lane) where they remained until 1983 and where they made many wonderful friends. For 16 years, Murray commuted over 3 hours a day by train to his job at Westinghouse in the New York City to provide for his family. Most weekends and holidays were spent with the Wintercress crew.

In 1983, Murray got a job in Florida and continued his radio sales career until he and Barbara moved to Vilagio, a retirement community, where Murray resumed his singing career in the community choir. His favorite pastime after retirement was chronicling his life story in an autobiography written in ALL CAPS! The Wintercress crew (all 4 couples) purchased homes in Florida to be near Barbara and Murray. Shortly after moving to Vilagio, Barbara became sick and Murray became her primary caregiver and house husband, cooking, cleaning, and lovingly caring for Barbara until she passed away in 2007.

Murray and Barbara became grandparents to Stephanie (24) and Matthew (21) Gensburg and to Rose (15) and Noah (13) Asrael. Unfortunately, Barbara didn’t survive long enough to meet Rose and Noah. her namesakes. Murray kvelled over his grandkids. Though he wasn’t the best conversationalist with them (Barbara was the expert there), he adored them and made them laugh with his various antics that included swallowing metal knives, balancing metal spoons on his nose, and pulling objects out of their ears.

Murray had the good fortune of meeting his third great love, Susie Berman, through JDate, an internet dating site and also acquired a third daughter, Ellen Wasserman, son-in-law Alan and 2 more grandchildren, Zachary and Jacob. In the 12 years they were married, Murray and Susie enjoyed many cruises, many laughs and each other. They remained at Vilagio for several years before eventually moving to NY to be near the Gensburgs and Wassermans. Just a couple of years after returning to NY, COVID struck the world, and Susie passed.

Murray is known for singing the most renditions of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” being funny without even trying, making his grandkids laugh, having his weekly lunch at the Patio with daughter Robin (where the waiters called him “Mr. Happy”) and being the life of every party.

After Susie’s passing, Murray moved into The Club at Briarcliff Manor, an independent living community. He was so popular, he earned the title of Mayor. He became active in his community, played chess, cards, and of course, sang in the choir. He left this world just as he entered it, entertaining others and doing life “his way.”

Murray is survived by his daughters, Robin Gensburg (Will) and Jill Asrael (Joel). He is also remembered with love by his grandchildren, Stephanie and Matthew Gensburg, Rose and Noah Asrael. Murray was predeceased by Robin and Jill's mother, Barbara Levine, his second wife -- Susan Berman Levine -- and his son, Robert.

Donations in Murray's memory may be made to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).