Ira Allan Levy

Ira Allan Levy, age 68, of Walpole, Massachusetts, passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Ira was born on November 24, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Sydney and Bertha (Feder) Levy. His family settled in Queens, NY, where Ira was raised with his sister and brother. Ira graduated from Bayside High School in 1965. He attended the School of Engineering at City College of New York (CCNY) which is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) and graduated in 1971. Before graduating from CCNY he gave his subway seat to a fellow student and told her "chivalry is not dead." He married that fellow student, Ellen (Yesalonis) Levy on July 5, 1971. While in college, Ira and Ellen went on hikes, and they walked and explored all of New York City. Ira led youth groups on bicycle for the American Youth Hostels, including a summer-long cross-country trip on a tandem bike with Ellen, which he spoke fondly of his entire life. Ira loved trains since he was a boy. He knew and rode the entire New York City Subway System.

Following college, Ira began his long and successful engineering career at Frederick R. Harris. Ira dedicated almost his entire career to the same company, including through its name changes to DMJM Harris and eventually AECOM. Ira started his career as an engineer in training in 1971, quickly went on to become a Professional Engineer and closed out his career as an Executive Vice President of the same company that has since grown into a leader in its industry with 85,000+ employees. Early in his career, Ira and Ellen lived in New York City, Taiwan, West Virginia and the Dominican Republic for Ira's work before settling in Walpole, Massachusetts, where they raised their family and made lifelong friends in a fantastic neighborhood in a great town. In Walpole, Ira served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for many years, enjoyed annual trips to the Village Fair and concerts on the Common, and spending time with family and friends each year at the 'Night before the Fourth' town fireworks.

Ira excelled at his career. He quickly moved up in his roles and competencies, to the point he returned to New York City to take a corporate role as an executive in the company. His corporate roles included eventually becoming the last President of DMJM Harris until it and the other operating companies were combined into the new and current AECOM at which point he became an Executive Vice President. His career accomplishments included taking lead roles in such major projects as the Morgantown, WV Personal Rapid Transit (the prototype for downtown and airport automated people movers), Tren Urbano in Puerto Rico, the Second Avenue subway system in New York City, the New York World Trade Center Transportation Hub, serving as an advisor to the Louisiana Governor's office and the State Recovery Office on post-Hurricane Katrina strategy and implementation, and the Riyadh Metro Project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ira was a renowned expert in the engineering field. He had a talent for giving speeches, and was often asked to deliver them. He received many accolades for his numerous professional accomplishments. He was a dedicated mentor and many people described him as a second father.

Ira liked to play just as hard as he worked. He was the life of the party and was also well known for throwing an amazing party. He loved to dance, even if he was the only one on the dance floor. He had a passion for music, especially classical and musicals. While he travelled all over the world for work, he also loved to travel for pleasure with his family. He loved a fine wine, but more importantly he loved sharing it with others. One of his life's greatest pleasures was food, and his taste buds knew no limits. He enjoyed a street corner hot dog as much as the juiciest filet mignon from the finest restaurant. He also loved to cook. He was known for his bananas foster and he made the turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving. He was a very social person and people gravitated towards his energy. He was a great storyteller. Ira loved his family. He loved spending time with them and throughout the years building traditions such as welcoming spring with a trip to the Flower Show, numerous summer vacations throughout the world, and enjoying fall with a day at the Big E.

Ira was an extremely generous individual who loved to treat people to everything. He would help anyone who needed help. He was forever grateful for his tuition-free education at CCNY, and gave back generously with donations and his time throughout his life. Ira had an impeccable memory and sense of direction. He could return to a location twenty years later and remember the route to take. He was very smart and knowledgeable. He knew the answer to almost any question. He had contagious enthusiasm. He was funny and fun to be around. He had a great smile. Ira had a zest for life.

Ira is survived by his wife, Ellen of Walpole, MA; children, Gregory Jacob Levy and his wife Karen of Franklin, MA, Jason Anthony Levy of Arlington, MA, and Alison Viola Jerome and her husband William of Wrentham, MA; sister Susan Lingel and her husband George of Belle Mead, NJ, brother David Levy and his wife Diane of Berthoud, CO; sister-in-law Deborah Farruggia and her late husband Alfonso of Staten Island, NY, granddaughters Sarah, Julia, Violet and Annabelle; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and countless friends and colleagues. His grandchildren will especially miss the chocolate munchkins he brought every time he saw them.

Visiting hours are from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, June 24, 2016 in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole, MA. Ira's Life Celebration service is at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 25, 2016 in the James H. Delaney & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole, MA. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery on Kendall Street in Walpole. All are welcome to attend all events and celebrate Ira's life. Memorial donations may be made in Ira's name to the American Cancer Society or the City College of New York. The family would like to thank hospital staff at Mount Sinai for their care in Ira's fight against cancer. They would also like to thank everyone for their outpouring of expressions of care and sympathy and love for Ira, who is already greatly missed.