Dr. Harry Levinson – Times Herald

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Dr. Harry Levinson

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Dr. Harry Levinson of Delray Beach, Fla., died Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at Hospice of Palm Beach County, Delray Beach. He was 90 years old.

A Port Jervis native, Dr. Levinson was a renowned organizational and industrial psychologist who used his unique skill to take psychological theory and knowledge and show how it applied to organizations. He spent his career helping leaders better understand how employees function in organizations and to use that understanding to help themselves and their organizations function both more effectively and more humanely.

He described his philosophy of life as including: "a deep concern for my family; support of humanitarian causes; appreciation of the value of continuous learning; helping other people grow and develop; and believing in fair play and integrity, which is what a teacher is all about, and which is where I started."

Dr. Levinson was the chairman emeritus of The Levinson Institute, clinical professor of psychology emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and the former head of the section on Organizational Mental Health of the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. He authored 23 books and numerous articles in professional publications.

Dr. Levinson received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Emporia (Kansas) State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. While coordinator of professional education at Topeka State Hospital from 1950 to 1953, Dr. Levinson played a key role in the dramatic and widely acclaimed reformation of the Kansas State Hospital System.

In 1954, he created and for the next 14 years directed the Division of Industrial Mental Health of the Menninger Foundation. In 1968, he moved to the Harvard Graduate School of Business. That same year, he established The Levinson Institute, which he led until his retirement in 1992.

He lectured and consulted widely to business, academic and governmental organizations in the United States and abroad. Through his writing, his individual consultations and his seminars, Dr. Levinson influenced many chief executives and senior leaders in industry.

Dr. Levinson received many professional awards and honors. In 2000, he received the American Psychological Association Gold Medal for Life Achievement in the Application of Psychology. The Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology presented him with the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters in 2004. In the same year the Society of Consulting Psychology recognized him with the Society's Distinguished Service Award.

He was past president of the American Board of Professional Psychology, past president of the Kansas Psychological Association, and former chairman of the Kansas Advisory Committee to the United States Civil Rights Commission. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942-1946.

Dr. Levinson was born Jan. 16, 1922, in Port Jervis, the son of the late David and Gussie Nudell Levinson. He was married to Miriam Hazan Lewis, who survives him. Other survivors include: his brother Sam and his wife, Joan, of Potomac, Maryland; four children: Marc and his wife, Kay, of Glen Ridge, N.J.; Kathy and her wife, Naomi Fine, of Palo Alto, Calif.; Anne of Seattle, Wash.; and Brian and his wife, Julie, of Leawood, Kansas; eight grandchildren, two nephews and a niece. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred Littman, and his first wife, Roberta Freiman Levinson.

There will be no visitation and funeral services will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Harry and Miriam Levinson Scholarship at American Psychological Foundation, 750 First St, NE, Washington DC 20002 or The Harry Levinson Scholarship in Organizational Behavior at Emporia State University Foundation, 1500 Highland St. Emporia, Kansas 66801.

Arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Port Jervis.

Loretta M. Wells

MIDDLETOWN — Loretta M. Wells of Middletown died June 25, 2012, at her home. She was 81.

She was born March 4, 1931, in Newfoundland, the daughter of the late Allen John and Alice Patey Wells Fink.

She was married to Arthur L. Wells for 48 years, until his death Nov. 10, 1999.

She retired as a key punch operator for Kolmar Labs.

A family statement read: "She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Mom enjoyed gardening, crocheting and reading. She had a very gentle, laid-back personality; never casting judgment upon anyone. She was kindhearted and would give help to anyone in need. She will be greatly missed."

Surviving are four daughters, Elaine Miglionico and her husband, Michael, of Kerhonkson, Susan Squitteri and her husband, Michael, of Kings Park, Joann Roberts of Middletown, and Ami Wells of Middletown; 17 grandchildren, Michele, Matthew, Christopher, Michael, Peter, Eileen, Paul, Dominique, Theresa, Patrick, Steven, Natasha, Ashley, Arik, Tamara, Jacklyn and Johnny; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her twin sons, Steven and Mark Wells, her brother Jackie Wells, her sister Eileen Best, and two nieces, Ruth Ann and Joyce Best.

Funeral services were held Thursday at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, with the Rev. Canon Jeff Golliher officiating. Burial was at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 149 Madison Ave., Gift Processing Center, New York, NY 10016.

Elizabeth Goulette

PORT JERVIS — Elizabeth "Bette" Goulette of Port Jervis, a longtime resident of the area, died June 18, 2012, at St. Joseph's Place. She was 66.

She was born Oct. 8, 1945, in Cobleskill, the daughter of the late Albert S. and Kathryn I. Prouty Goulette.

Bette worked as a self-employed beautician and also for the Montague, N.J., Post Office.

She was a past member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis.

She is survived by her son Joseph Biccum and his wife, Cheryl, of Port Jervis; daughter Rene Biccum and her companion, Nick, of Utica; daughter Denege Hashagen and her husband, William, of Montague, N.J.; brother William Goulette and his wife, JoAnn, of Port Jervis; brother James Goulette of Port Jervis; sister Catherine Oylnec and her husband, Alex, of Shohola, Pa.,; five grandchildren, Preston, Ryan, Kyle, Darcie and Carrington; one great-grandchild, Silas Hashagen; former mother-in-law Marion H. Biccum; and two former brothers-in-law, Darcy and Michael; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by former husband, John Darcy Biccum, three brothers, Clease, Clifford and Calvin, and one sister, Barbara.

There was no visitation. Following cremation, a graveside service was held June 23 at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Main Street, Port Jervis.

Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Mary's R.C. Church, P.O. Box 712, Port Jervis, NY 12771 or St. Joseph's Place, 160 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.

Funeral arrangements were by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Port Jervis.

Gene George Doland

HUGUENOT — Gene George Doland of Huguenot died June 25, 2012, at his home. He was 70.

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