A practicing attorney in St. James, N.Y., Joe Levorchick was an exceptional two-sport athlete at Cortland during the early 1950's. A three-year letterman in soccer, Levorchick was an All-American and All-New York State halfback on "Prof" Holloway's 1952 Red Mule squad. Levorchick also excelled on the baseball diamond, where he earned another trio of varsity letters. As an outfielder on the 1953 team, Levorchick led the team in hitting and received the Red Letter Award.
Levorchick grew up south of Buffalo in Woodlawn, N.Y., where he attended Woodlawn High School. At Cortland, he was listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He was a member of Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity and served as its vice president. In 1953, he received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. In 1964, he earned a master's degree in secondary school administration from Hofstra University.
After graduation, Levorchick entered Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., and was commissioned an ensign in the United States Naval Reserve. He served aboard the USS Monterey. In 1955, when the ship was stationed in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Levorchick played shortstop on the Shipyard's baseball team which advanced to the All-Navy Baseball Tournament that year. In 1957, Levorchick ended his four-year active duty stint, but continued to serve in the United States Naval Reserve until retiring in 1992 with the permanent rank of commander.
During the 1976 Bicentennial celebration, Levorchick was escort officer for Joseph Luns, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In that role, he participated in ceremonies attended by President Gerald Ford aboard the USS Forrestal in New York harbor.
After his active military duty, Levorichick briefly taught physical education in East Greenbush, N.Y., before taking a teaching and coaching positition at Wantagh (N.Y.) High on Long Island. As varsity soccer coach, his teams posted an 84-33-29 record, won five league titles, finished second four times, and was the 1961 Nassau County runner-up.
From 1970-79, Levorchick taught physical education at Newfield High in Seiden, N.Y. He coached at both Newfield and at the Stony Brook School, a private co-ed preparatory school.
In 1979, Levorchick left the teaching profession to enter the University of Dayton (Ohio) Law School. As a law student, he represented indigent clients in various legal matters. He also interned in the Legal Department at the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton researching legal issues related to the medical profession. Levorchick earned a juris doctor from the University of Dayton in 1982. He worked for a law firm in Ronkonkoma, N.Y., before opening his own general law practice in 1985 in East Setauket, N.Y. Through his office, Levorchick engages in free legal work for the indigent through the Suffolk County Pro Bono Project. Levorchick is also active in St. James Chamber of Commerce and has helped organize civic events within his community.
UPDATE: Levorchick passed away in September 2014 at age 82.
