Sidney Levy's Obituary
Sidney Levy, passed away in the comfort of his home on May 26th, 2018. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 8th, 1931. Sidney is survived by his adoring wife, Sandra Levy and children, Ellie (Lee) Bernstein, Scott (Nicole) Levy, Jodi (Holden) Luntz, Heidi (David) Maya, Kimberly (Robert) Pushkin, his sister, Wynne (Jerry) Davis. and is also survived by his wonderful grandchildren--Maxwell and Brooke Bernstein, Brittany and Alexandra Pushkin, Cody and Angelina Levy, Alex and Jaye Luntz, Jordan, Jake and Gabrielle Maya.
Born and raised in Chicago, he attended the University of Illinois and Roosevelt College. He was a graduate accountant from the University of Illinois. He resided in his home in Golden Beach, Florida.
The Entrepreneur
In the 1950s he formed the Levy Development Company, which included land development, construction, management, and development of apartment buildings, single-family homes, nursing homes, warehouses, and commercial real estate.
After a Decade…
In the 1960s he acquired Kenosha Auto Transport Company along with Jupiter Industries. Kenosha Auto Transport was one of the largest automotive truckers in the United States. He also acquired with his partner, the late Jerrold Wexler of Chicago, Sadoff Iron and Metal, which was the largest scrap and metal company in Wisconsin at that time.
First Look into Printing…
He co-founded Raintree Publications, a textbook publishing firm and DeMarsh/Levy Sports Productions, the first to bring live professional tennis matches to Wisconsin. He also acquired the rights to produce and telecast the University of Wisconsin basketball games.
A Try at Retirement…
In the late 1970s he semi-retired to Florida and founded American Energy, Ltd., which drilled for oil and gas. His semi-retirement was short-lived and with American Express as a partner completed the renovation of Midway Mall, known as the Mall of the Americas. The 785,000 square foot "discount mall" was one of the first of its kind and is one of the most successful malls in South Florida. Meanwhile he also completed a 300,000 square foot promotional center and a 40,000 square foot Vic Tanny Health Club (better known as Bally Health Club) which was the renovation of a factory building into a commercial center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
At the time he was recognized by the "Value Retail News" as having two of the ten largest rehabilitated shopping centers under renovation in the United States.
A Double Take on Printing…
In 1988 he acquired a major interest in KAR Printing, Inc. KAR Printing was a successful commercial printer with its headquarters in Miami Lakes, Florida and a plant in Atlanta, Georgia.
In the 1990s he acquired Webworks of Atlanta, Georgia and Midcoast Press of Columbia, Maryland both printing companies with diverse capabilities and he also became sole owner of all the KAR Printing companies.
Real Estate Investments…
Under the name of Landmark Residential Apartments Inc. he and his partners have been buying, renovating, and managing garden apartments in the Southeast of the U.S. They have done over 30,000 apartments.
In 2008, he and his partners formed a partnership with the ELCO Holdings, a listed company, to increase their apartment holdings. ELCO Holdings purchased Landmark Residential Apartments; they initially provided $100,000,000 of equity to continue the same operation. It was so successful that they wanted to increase their investment to $300,000,000. They successfully rolled out an IPO with the company Landmark Apartment Trust of America.
A Diamond in the Rough…
With a vision, he bought the copyright and trademark to "Pepito" a Hispanic folklore character known throughout the Latin world.
Latin World…
His Dream of a movie of this imaginative rascal--somewhat like himself--came true as it will open June 1st in the AMC in Los Angeles, California.
Philanthropic endeavors…
Mr. Levy along with his wife Sandra, have participated in many worthwhile community charities and services. The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, of which Sandra Levy is the Executive Chairman of the Love & Hope Committee and serves on the Board of Directors. They were Founders of Hebrew Home for the Aged. and Founders of the Alzheimer's Care Committee.
Funeral Service to be held on: Tuesday, May 29th, 2018 at 2:00 PM
Levitt Weinstein
18840 West Dixie Highway
North Miami Beach, FL 33180
786-207-1246
Guests will be received at their home after the Funeral Service.
Shiva will be observed at their home on the following dates and times:
Wednesday, May 30th - from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 31st - from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Friday, June 1st - from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Memorial donations may be made to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.
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