Levi Alfred Newsome

He was born in Miami, Florida on February 20,1941, and moved to Brewster, New York, eventually settling with his family in Danbury, CT where he resided for the rest of his life.

In his younger years, he was a member of the Wooster hose volunteer fire department.

He loved catching the ear of anyone who would listen to his stories of his youth or Danbury history. He always joked that he was a professional talker.

Levi graduated from Danbury High School in 1958, Danbury Teachers College in 1962, and received his Master’s degree in education from the University of Bridgeport in 1966.

After graduating from college, he and three of his buddies traveled to Europe on a flying tiger cargo plane (which later caused a fear of flying that he never overcame) he traveled throughout Europe, later returning with a powder blue Italian Vespa.

The night after they returned from their trip, Skip (as he was called by his closest friends) insisted he and his friend Joe Kelly go to the Stonehenge in Ridgefield CT where there was a single mingle going on. That was the night his life changed…. he has told many a friend the story of how he looked down and there SHE WAS wearing the white button-down blouse with the big black bow, she was cute as a button, he knew it was the love of his life.

On June 25, 1966, after selling his Vespa to buy a ring, he married his dream girl Mary Ann (Lescinsky) and together they created a beautiful family.

Levi began his teaching career in at Driggs school in Waterbury, from there he moved to the Danbury School system and taught in the classroom for 3 years before becoming assistant principal and then principal at Mill Ridge Intermediate school. He was principal of Pembroke Elementary School and later South Street School until his retirement in 2000 after 36 years in the school system.

After his retirement he enjoyed tinkering in the yard until Mary Ann insisted he get a part time job. He found joy working at the Danbury Museum and Historic Society where he stayed for 10 years (until his wife’s illness) creating and working on numerous projects, continuing his love of Danbury.

FAMILY, FAMILY, FAMILY, and friendship were always his motto.

Levi lived for Holiday gatherings, picnics around the bocce court (with his Terra Glen Bocce club), NY Giants games and vacation time with family especially those with his late brother Tom & sister-in-law Lorraine.

He belonged to St. Joseph Parish in Danbury. He was a long-standing member of the Amerigo Vespucci Lodge where he enjoyed many a Thursday night monthly dinner with his friends, complete with Manhattans and possibly half of a martini.

In 2021 on the insistence of his children, he joined the Danbury Senior Center. Many friendships were formed that will be treasured.

His three children Judie (Mark) O’Donnell, Laurie (Dean) Singer and Michael (Laura), along with his grandchildren Gina Gouin, Ryan, Kevin and Matthew O’Donnell, Abigail Gumpright and Jacob Newsome were his greatest pride and joy.

He is also survived by his Aunt Doris (whom he called every Sunday to discuss history or the score of the UCONN Huskies), brother in-law Mike Lescinsky and his wife Diana, sister-in-law Lorraine, nephews Jeff and Chris Lescinsky, his cousins Vickey HIckey, Ed and Frank Vichi as well as many friends.

Besides his wife Mary Ann of 53 years, he was predeceased by his sister Vicki Anne, his brother Tom, nephew Douglas and his beloved granddaughter Mackenzie Newsome.

There will be a Mass of Christian burial on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 10 AM at St. Joseph Church, Main St., Danbury. Burial will follow at St. Peter Cemetery, 71 Lake Ave. Ext., Danbury.

Family will receive friends on Thursday May 21, from 4 – 7 PM at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.

Skip’s family would like to thank his caregivers from Synergy of Danbury: Brenda, Susan, Lisbeth, Shy, Anika and most recently Harley who was with him until the end, as well as the home care team from Danbury Regional Hospice: Sarah, Amy and John.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations in his name be made to Danbury Regional Hospice, 30 Milestone Rd. Danbury. CT.