Ralph M. Levy, 94, of Warminster, and formerly of Abington passed on May 6, 2015 at Ann's Choice. Ralph was born on May 23, 1920 at his home, 814 Merrick Ave., Collingswood, NJ, to Rae & Myer Levy. At home at that time were his two brothers, A. Charles and Willard F., both of whom preceded him in death. At about the age of eleven, he, his mother, and two brothers moved to 3856 N. 19th St., Philadelphia, PA., the home of his mother’s parents, Rose (Blitz) and Alexander Reinheimer. When he was thirteen, he celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Adath Jeshurun Synagogue, then located on Broad St., just north of Diamond St. Shortly after graduation from Simon Gratz High School in June 1937, he spent a winter at Flagstaff, Arizona as a member of the CCC’s (Civilian Conservation Corps), a government agency. He, with others, worked building steps and walkways so that future visitors could more easily visit caves in the canyon walls that had been used by pre-historic man. Prior to serving in the army during World War II, he worked at various jobs and was drafted from Kellett Aircraft Co., assigned to the Army Air Corps. He trained as an aerial gunner on bombers, as a nose gunner on B-24’s and as a tail gunner on B-29’s at Harlington, TX. After his discharge in 1946 he spent time as a member of the 52/20 Club; no jobs at that time. That government club stopped when he became employed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. He also became a partner in a printing company, the “Rawl Printing Co.”, with his brothers. It was at this time he met Eleanor Paul who later became his wife. They married in 1952 and started a family a couple of years later. After several years in an apartment in N.E. Philadelphia, they bought a house in Abington, PA, where they lived for many years with their two children, Bonita and Alex. While living in Abington he changed Jobs several times. He went from working at “Kaiser Metal Products Co.” in Bristol, PA to “Standard Pressed Steel” (now SPS Technologies) in Jenkintown, PA to Honeywell, Ft. Washington, PA. He had enrolled in Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University) during the 52/20 period taking courses in Mechanical Engineering, graduating in 1954. Retiring from Honeywell in May 1985 he started his life of leisure, playing at golf, taking an occasional trip to Las Vegas and Atlantic City and enjoying his family which grew from four to sixteen. He also spent some winter weeks in Nakomas, Sarasota, and Bradenton, Florida. A heart attack and triple by-pass operation in 1992 changed some aspects as to how he spent his time. He started walking every morning, at first outside if the weather permitted or inside at the Willow Grove Park Mall. At the Mall he socialized with other retirees who became new friends. He is survived by his daughter Bonita Greiner and her husband, Nevin and their children: Benjamin and his wife Brandie and their son Levi; Matthew; Jesse and his wife Courtney and their children Olivia and Everett; Micah and his wife Hanna; Johanna; Anya; Sarena; and Caleb, all living in the Manheim area. He is also survived by his son Alex, his wife Brenda, and their daughters Sarah of Virginia Beach and Alyssa of Hatboro. Along with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, he is survived by many special relatives and friends, including Rita (Reinheimer) Hornstein, her husband Al and their son Garry; Marvin Levy, his wife Robin and their sons Scott and Andrew; Barbara Dargo; Ron Brown and his children Rachel, David, and Josh; Clair and Stu Gruber; Libby and Abe Kern; Hank and Bonni Basich; Bill Erhardt; Don McDermott; Leslie Bell and all the great friends at 'The Mall'. Relatives and friends are invited to his graveside service on Friday May 8, 2015 at 1pm at Shalom Memorial Park, 101 Byberry Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006. Arrangements by John J. Bryers Funeral Home. www.bryersfh.com John J. Bryers Funeral Home, Inc. 406 North Easton Road Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090 (215) 659 – 1630 Jeffrey S. Thompson-Supervisor

• published: 07 May 2015
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