Harlen Levey

A business owner, a teacher, a musician, and above all, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Harlan Robert Levey lived a life filled with music, hard work, and family. He passed away peacefully at home at the age of 84, with his wife and two daughters lovingly by his side.

Harlan grew up in the Bronx, New York, with his parents, Martin and Dorothy Levey, and his two brothers before the family relocated to Queens. His early years were filled with a variety of jobs, interests, and adventures, along with a newfound love of playing the trumpet. He was later drafted into the U.S. Naval Aviation during the Vietnam War.

His love of music led him to earn a master’s degree in conducting from Columbia University and to a teaching position at Bank Street School for Children on the Upper West Side of New York City. It was there that he met his future wife, Carol Jodlbauer, who worked as the school nurse. Together, Harlan and Carol built a life that included many adventures, travels to Turkey and Greece in their later years, and numerous business ventures.

Two dogs and a Volkswagen later, Harlan and Carol’s shared life took them to Vermont, where they established Green Mountain Stained Glass, drawing on Harlan’s love of the craft. In the early 1980s, Harlan and Bob Stannard, of Manchester, also pioneered residential energy auditing through their business, Thermoscan of New England. Harlan and Carol later combined their stained-glass business with a furniture store, The Furniture Den, before purchasing and operating Heinel’s Clothiers for 25 years. Together, they ran a successful clothing and formalwear business while Harlan continued doing what he loved: teaching music at Pine Cobble School in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Music remained a constant throughout Harlan’s life. He was particularly drawn to early Renaissance music and assembled a collection of period instruments, many of which he enjoyed playing at home. He formed a group of four local musicians who performed Renaissance recorder music at weddings, sharing his love of this music with others.

In retirement, Harlan found happiness in life’s simplest pleasures. During the warmer months, his favorite place was outside on the patio, enjoying the sun, often with a cigar and a glass of scotch. In the winter, he could usually be found settled into his favorite leather chair by the fireplace or watching reruns of his favorite show, Gunsmoke.

Above all, Harlan had an immense love for his six grandchildren. Although his mobility became more limited in his later years, he continued to delight in watching them play, reading books to them, and occasionally playing children’s songs for them on the piano. These simple moments gave him a way to share his love with them and remain part of their daily lives.

Harlan was predeceased by his parents, Martin and Dorothy Levey, and his brother and sister-in-law, Ricky and Judy Levey. He is survived by his wife, Carol Jodlbauer; his daughters, Kira DuBois and Sarah Grimes; his six grandchildren, Genevieve, Phinneus, Hezekiah, and Seraphina DuBois, and Caroline and Cameron Grimes; and his brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Valerie Levey.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Harlan’s memory to Taconic Music Strings for Kids, in support of music education for children.