Senator Norman J. Levy died Saturday, Feb. 7, at his Albany home. For the past seven months, Levy had been recovering from emergency brain surgery after suffering from what was thought to be exhaustion on the floor of the state senate. Later neurological assessments discovered a brain mass. Levy was 67.

Levy was mourned and remembered this week by people from Long Island to Albany as a staunch defender of Long Island's interests and a diligent lawmaker.

At the memorial service for him in Merrick on Tuesday, which was attended by several hundred people, Levy was eulogized, in addition to family and close friends, by Governor George Pataki, State Senator Jospeh Bruno, and Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta. The public officials described him not only as a dedicated public servant, but as a caring man. "Each of the people told personal, human stories," said Farmingdale Schools Superintendent Gerard W. Dempsey, who attended the service.

Dempsey, who had known Levy through the district's lobbying efforts, added that he will be remembered as someone who cared about his constituents. "Senator Levy was an outstanding example of a legislator. I think he sets the highest standard in terms of service to the community," he said.

"Senator Levy was irreplaceable, he was one of a kind," said Assemblyman Steve Labriola.

Labriola, a past Town of Oyster Bay Director of Operations, said that he could always count on Levy for assistance in the town. "When we needed a little more help in the town, his influence sometimes made the difference in getting what we needed for the town," said Labriola.

In Farmingdale, school administrators were remembering him with gratitude for the support he had given to Farmingdale School District's efforts to obtain more state funding for education.

"He's been essential to our lobbying efforts," said Barbara Horsley, assistant superintendent for administration for the district, adding that he had met with Farmingdale School district representatives many times a year for several years. When Levy was ill, the Farmingdale representatives met with his aide, Sara Holly, to discuss state aid. Describing the feeling of loss caused by Levy's death, Horsley said, "We feel awful." She added, "He was a friend to the schools."

In the villages, kind words for Levy were abundant. At Monday's Farmingdale Village Board meeting, Mayor Joseph Trudden cited the help Levy gave to the village for obtaining more parking spaces at its Long Island Rail Road station, and expressed sorrow about the news of his death. "It's a true loss to Farmingdale," he later said in an interview. "He was always there when we needed him." He also described Levy as a "fine gentleman" who always made a point of reaching out to his constituents.

Massapequa School Board President Robert Thompson had the opportunity to see Levy from both perspectives. "He was always a very sincere man. He was always there for the Village of Massapequa Park when I was the mayor and he was always there for the Massapequa School District."

Thompson characterized Levy's career in government. "I think that he was one of the finest public servants and he made government service very honorable."

Labriola added, "Once I was elected, he took me under his wing and co-sponsored bills with me. But, above all, his friendship and guidance is what I'll miss most."

Dempsey said that he was tremendously impressed by the caring relationship that Levy shared with his wife, Joy; noting that despite his commitment to public service, he remained a devoted husband.

Born on Jan. 24, 1931, Levy had been a Lond Island resident for his entire life. He attended Bucknell University in 1952, where he earned a B.A. Degree.

From 1954 through 1958, Levy served in the United States Army where he was assigned to the first Army Headquarters as a Chief Legal Clerk and a Army Staff Judge Advocate.

After leaving the army, Levy returned to school at Brooklyn Law where he earned his J.D. in 1958. Later that year he was admitted to the New York State Bar.

An attorney by occupation, Levy began his career in public service in 1959, after completing an internship with the Nassau County District Attorney's office. That year he was appointed an assistant district attorney in the Nassau County D.A.'s office. In 1962, Levy was appointed chief of the Nassau County Rackets Bureau. During this time, he investigated and prosecuted organized crime.

In 1970, Levy successfully ran for the State Senate. For years Levy's election results would overwhelm his opponents. In 1996, Levy received 66 percent of the entire vote. His district, incorporating a large portion of the south shore of Long Island, had been a Republican Party stronghold long before Levy took office. So much so, for six of Levy's 14 election campaigns, he faced the same opponent, Democrat Jerome Jainchill.

In 1992, Newsday criticized the Democratic Party for running Levy's six-time opponent. "His party should note that there comes a time when a candidacy ceases to be a serious quest and becomes a hobby."

And although Levy never needed to fight hard at election time, few would argue that he didn't fight hard in the Senate. In 1993, Levy almost single handedly held up the state budget until $15 million of a $22 billion dollar infrastructure package was designated specifically for improving Long Island's rail freight system.

Levy scored high marks for his work as a state senator from both business and union groups. Noted by many as a strong supporter for the middle class, Levy received a 90 percent evaluation from the New York AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor union.

As the chairman of the Senate's Transportation Committee, Levy fought for, successfully, New York's mandatory seatbelt law, making New York the first state in the nation to pass such a law. Most recently, Levy announced in August that legislation aimed at preventing injuries and deaths in the vicinity of railroad stations had been signed into law by Governor George Pataki. The bill, sponsored by Levy, increased the penalties to make trespassing on railroad property a crime.

In the 1980's, Levy oversaw a Department of Transportation study to construct a pedestrian overpass at Unqua Road on Sunrise Highway. The overpass was never realized, but Levy continued to study the problem of traffic congestion on Sunrise Highway. Recently, Levy and Labriola have worked with the DOT to find a solution to the problem.

"He continually looked for ways to improve traffic congestion near the Sunrise Mall, and now we have three proposals on the table," said Labriola. "His death will be a tremendous loss to Long Island."

New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, a Republican from upstate New York, released the following statement upon Levy's passing.

"New York lost one of its giants today. In Norman Levy, we lost a leader, a brilliant and dedicated public servant, and for me personally, a close and dear friend. Norman Levy dedicated his life to making things better for his constituents who he so ably represented for nearly 30 years, for Long Island and for all the people of this state. His efforts in the area of transportation assured that our roads, bridges, highways and mass transportation systems were among the finest in the nation. He was also at the forefront of efforts to assure that people were safe on our roadways through landmark anti-DWI laws, mandatory seatbelt and other traffic safety laws. We will miss Norman in the Senate. I know I speak for all my colleagues in offering our prayers and condolences to his beloved wife Joy, his many friends, and to all those fortunate to have known him and now mourn his passing."