Marshall James Levy of Milton passed away at his home of 47 years on Nov. 15 after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Marshall was devoted to his family, friends, church, and the Milton community. He will be greatly missed.
Marshall is survived by his soulmate Barbara (Mantica) Levy of 54 years, his children Stephanie Stairs and husband Richard of Tamarac, Florida, as well as his son Philip Levy and his wife Grace Ann of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina. Marshall was the loving grandfather of Marshall Stairs, Emily, Oliver and Rachel Levy and step-grand-children Timothy and Tyler; brother-in-law Robert Mantica of Newburgh, New York; sister-in-law Sarah Mantica of Poughkeepsie, New York; nieces Jacqueline Stabile and her family of Needham, Abigail Bailey and her family of Troy, New York, and his nephew Benjamin Mantica and his family of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as well as Marshall’s lifetime friend Arthur Grofsky and his family of Los Angeles, California.
Born in Los Angeles, Marshall earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University at Northridge and his master’s degree from the University of Guam, where he and Barbara taught for two years. Marshall not only taught school but also coached the champion Guam soccer team.
After Guam, Marshall and Barbara returned to Milton, where Marshall taught at the Squantum School in Quincy for 12 years, followed by 30 years at the Winn Brook School in Belmont. In addition, Marshall tutored at the Norfolk Prison for many years.
Marshall possessed the talent and insight to connect with his students regardless of ability, and he was noted for his assortment of themed ties.
Marshall was a consultant for National Geographic, instructing fellow teachers in Global Education and traveling to the United Kingdom, China, Japan and many U.S. states. Marshall won an Award for Excellence from the Massachusetts Council of Social Studies as Global Educational Teacher of the Year.
As an Eagle Scout mentor, Marshall was honored for his service by being inducted into the coveted Order of the Arrow, the highest honor in scouting. A former Jaycee, Marshall was active in the Milton Council on Aging, where he was a member of the Board of Directors, ukulele group and enthusiastic participant in fundraisers and events. He was a dedicated volunteer at the Milton Public Library. At the First Congregational Church, Marshall was on the Membership Board and the Board of Benevolence. He was recently honored as the Church’s 2024 volunteer of the year.
Marshall’s zest for life was reflected in his many interests: gardening, antiquing, attending lectures, concerts, plays, and movies, visiting museums and libraries, traveling and hiking with his good friend Bill Mullen.
A celebration of life will be held on Dec. 7 at 1 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Milton. Burial will be private.
Donations may be made in Marshall’s memory to the First Congregational Church of Milton, 495 Canton Ave., Milton 02186 and the Milton Council of Aging, 10 Walnut St., Milton 02186.