Mark Edward Levin, 76, passed away on Thursday evening, April 4th, 2024, in Rocky Mount, NC, of natural causes. He was born in Chicago on January 25, 1948, to Albert Levin and Floretta Katzky as an only child. Prior to moving to North Carolina in 1993, he resided in the greater Los Angeles area where he would visit his father Albert and Albert’s second wife Marion in Palm Springs, CA on a regular basis. Mark considered the desert his home. Born in 1948, he was a product of The Baby Boomer generation. When he was seven years old, he moved to Miami, Florida with his parents where they resided until he was 13 years old. Mark and his parents moved to Los Angeles, CA when he was drafted in 1970. Mark proudly served in the Army as an artilleryman during the Vietnam War, seeing action in the South Central Highlands, including cities like Pleiku and sometimes entering into Cambodia. Mark was rewarded a Bronze Star for his heroic actions on “Suicide Missions” which he was most humble about and almost never spoke of. He also received a Purple Heart after a member of the Viet Cong threw a homemade bomb as he was sat on the side of tank while passing through a field and a piece of shrapnel struck his chin. Ultimately, Mark was honorably discharged from the Army in 1972 and did resign due to the public’s negative connotation of the war. After the war, Mark had his first daughter, Lisa Thompson who he cherished for her creative/artistic abilities and their love of cartoons like ‘Calvin and Hobbes’ and ‘The Simpsons’. He later moved to North Carolina and had two additional children from a different marriage, Caroline and Matthew. He also cherished them more than they both will ever know. His lifelong love of “Old Hollywood,” which stemmed from his father, led him to have an affinity for old movies and music and gave him tremendous pride and satisfaction. A few of his favorite movies included, Brigadoon, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Big Country, Giant, My Pal Joey, Guys & Dolls, Lonesome Dove, and Treasure of the Sierra Madre. He especially loved and valued his now deceased grandfather; Julius Levin (Papa Julius) who he made clear on numerous occasions, gave him the guidance to be the man he ultimately became. Additionally, his friendships and associations with friends had a huge impact on him. This includes his “Coffee Group” or his “Circle” who would typically congregate at the Panera Bread and Cups of Joy, both located in Wilson, NC. He was proud of them and proud to know them as he derived great enjoyment from their visits and breakfasts’ in his last few years in North Carolina. He also became enthralled in assisting with ‘Purrfect Hearts Cat Rescue’ where he volunteered as the Financial Manager. Mark would also drive up and down the east coast to deliver cats to shelters and people trying to adopt them. Even though he would joke or “Josh,” about the cats and their ability to be annoying, it was his way of expressing his love for them and it gave him purpose. Throughout his residency in North Carolina, he regularly contributed to the Wilson Times newspaper with his conservative commentary, that was filled with his satire, which he was well known for. His lifetime travels afforded him the opportunity to forge friendships around the world that lasted his lifetime. Again, he is survived by his daughters, Lisa Karen Thompson of Rocklin, California and Rachel Caroline Levin of Manhattan, New York, as well as his son, Matthew Julian Levin of Irvine, California. Mark is also survived by his grandchildren Luca and Nicola Thompson of Rocklin, California; Cousins Tom and Celeste Reid and “great-cousins” Malia Reid and Dylan Reid of La Quinta, California, and beloved aunt Arlene Pozner; cousin Debra Arenson of Wheeling, Illinois and nephew Joe Arenson of Wheeling, Illinois and cousin Kenneth Pozner and nephew Alec of Arlington Heights, Ill., all of whom generously and lovingly embraced him. Services will be held at his residence as a ‘Celebration of Life’ on April 11th, 2024, at 4PM. An additional service will also be held in Palm Springs, California, for his west coast family and friends.
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