Joseph Levanto Ph.D.

Norwich – Joseph Levanto died peacefully on Sept. 22nd. He was born at home on Franklin Street, January 24, 1929 to immigrant parents, Francesco & Concetta (Mastrandrea) Levanto. He met Dorothy Eyberse at Bee Bee’s Dairy in Norwichtown and they were married on January 26, 1952. They shared their love and life for 63 years.

Joe, nicknamed “Gregor” by his first grandchild, is also survived by his loving wife, Dorothy, his four children, Jacqueline Sullivan, Jeannette Starzyk and her husband Stephen, June Levanto, Joey Levanto, Jr. and his wife Kimberly; six grandchildren, Christopher and his wife Alexis, Cailynn, Cody, Sierra, Mia, and Dean; his sister Mary and her husband Richard and many nieces & nephews. In addition, he considered himself a special great-grandparent to Mark and Max Burlingame of Poughkeepsie , NY. He also leaves behind his “furry four-legged girlfriend” Sadie. He is predeceased by a sister Anna, and a brother Johnny, and his son-in-law Jimmy Sullivan.

A life-long resident of Norwich, Joseph attened Norwich Public Schools before becoming a 1947 graduate of the Norwich Free Academy. He received an A.S. from Mitchell College, a B.A. from American International College; a M.A., Professional Diploma, and Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. His doctorate was awarded in the field of school administration with computer science as a related area.

Professional affiliations prior to his career in education included jobs with General Dynamics Electric Boat as a submarine Expediter/Planner; IBM as a data processer and as an independent real estate broker and developer.

He began his career in education as a NFA teacher. He taught English, math, physics, industrial science, first aid, biological sciences, general science and coached football and baseball. Concurrent with his science teaching, he received two National Science Foundation grants for work in oceanography.

“Dr. Joe”, as he was fondly referred to by his students and staff, was the eighth Principal in NFA’s 131 year history, and the first Roman Catholic to become Principal. He was also first to hold the title of Superintendent/Principal from 1975-1988. During his tenure, NFA was the largest independent high school in the nation with an enrollment in excess of 3,200 students.

Dr. Joe’s accomplishments at the Academy were many. One of his first actions was to provide a new course and building for students interested in power mechanics. This popular offering was an example of the Academy philosophy “to provide education for all youth in the community according to their needs.” He refined the school’s policy on absenteeism, making it a model for other institutions. Aware that the school’s athletic facilities were inadequate, he devised plans for an expanded gymnasium. The result, Alumni Hall, greatly enhanced the Academy’s physical education program. Another improvement in athletics was the construction of an all-weather track.

In 1984 Dr. Joe established the Alumni House at the north end of the NFA campus. The Alumni House offers a welcoming setting for returning graduates, serves as a meeting place for alumni activities and houses the NFA Alumni and Development Offices. The Alumni House was dedicated by his alma mater and renamed the Levanto Alumni House in 2001.

After an illustrious career in education spanning 35 years (24 years in administration and 11 years teaching and coaching), Dr. Joe retired on June 30, 1988. Upon his retirement the Alumni Association established the Dr. Joseph Levanto Scholarship Fund.

After his retirement from NFA, he served as an Assistant Professor/Director at Sacred Heart University; Supervisor of student teaching at Southern Connecticut State University; University Lecturer-Doctoral Studies Program at University of Sarasota; Adjunct Associate Professor at Sacred Heart University and School Expulsion Hearing Officer for the State of Connecticut.

In 2002, as a tribute to his Italian heritage he authored and published the book Giuseppe-Only in America to leave for his grandchildren.

Joe was an active member of his community serving on the Board of Directors of Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, the Board of Directors of The Backus Hospital, Chairman of seven different Backus committees, Chairman of Norwich City Manager’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Financial Administration, Corporator of Chelsea Groton Bank, Director of Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of the Otis Library, Advisory Board of Three Rivers College, Advisory Board of Norwich Youth Services, and Advisory Board of Saint Jude Common-Assisted Living Facility. He also was a member of the Norwich Rotary Club, Norwich Lodge of Elks, United Italian Society (UIS), and Italian Heritage Society (IHS) and Cultural Committee. Honors include Italian Man of the Year for both IHS and UIS, man of the year for Data Processing Management Associaton (DPMA)

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday,

September 30th, 4:00pm to 8:00pm at the Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave., Norwich. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 1st, at 3:00pm at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, 213 Broadway, Norwich.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Dr. Joseph Levanto Scholarship Fund, at the Norwich Free Academy, 305 Broadway, Norwich or the Center for Hospice Care Southeast Connecticut, 227 Dunham Street, Norwich.