Lionel Herman Lewit, 95, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 in Palm Bay, Florida. He was happily married to his lovely wife, Beth, for 75 years. All the lives he has touched are so grateful to have had him in their lives for so long. He was dearly loved and respected.
He was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1924, to parents James and Rose Lewit. He attended NYU, SUNY at Oneonta and was awarded a Master’s Degree in Education.
Lionel enlisted in the Army and served in WWII honorably. After joining the army during World War II, he attended the Citadel in South Carolina. During the war in Europe, he was assigned to the heavy artillery division where he calculated bearings and angles based on the position of targets. Lionel was asked to direct skits with his fellow soldiers and they traveled and entertained which started his love of theater. From 1953 to 1989 he and Beth were founding members of Lantern Theater on Long Island where they directed, acted and ran actor training classes.
He was employed in two New York City Schools primarily as a wood shop teacher helping shape young minds during the turbulent 60’s and 70’s. He happily pitched in to teach other subjects as needed such as Science and Math. He also hung wallpaper as an extra job to make ends meet and opened a second hand guitar store selling guitars he repaired.
He enjoyed camping, fishing, skiing, guitar playing, bowling, gardening, dancing including ball room dancing which he won several contests. He had a long time love of golf after his retirement and later in life, playing craps at the Casino. Lionel had a sharp wit and a light hearted sense of humor. He was confident and strong man who was always supportive of family issues. He will be remembered for his love of life and his warmth both to his immediate family, his extended family and the many friends he positivity impacted. He was always ready to take on home improvement projects with his daughter Roni and husband Dave and actively enjoyed in their remodeling houses here in Florida and on Long Island. He wasn't afraid to tackle any project. Lionel began the Silberling Family Tree, which he kept up for about 40 years, which has information and photographs of more than 300 family members.
He is survived by his wife, Beth, children Alan and spouse Rita, Roni and spouse Dave, Scott and spouse Lyudmyla, and Sandy and spouse Steve, grandchildren James, Jennifer, Ashley, Sam, Alex, Antonio, and Adrian, and great grandchildren Frankie and Cameron. He was predeceased by his older brother Bertram, and his younger brother Howard.
The memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 12:00 at Fountainhead Funeral Home, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, Florida 32909. Services followed by internment at the cemetery of the same location. Viewing will be held from 10:00 to 12:00.
