William Colin Levere

Born at 341 Center Street in West Haven on February 22, 1914, a son of the late Frederick E. and Charlotte Dorrington Levere, he was a lifelong resident of West Haven. He is survived by sons, Ronald W. Levere of Yarmouth, Maine and Russell F. Levere of Colchester, CT, grandchildren, Heather Levere Harris of North Hampton, NH, Randall Levere of Boston, MA, Christina Levere of Orange, CT and Alex Levere of Guilford, CT and great-grandchildren, Katie and John Harris of North Hampton, NH. Also survived by many nieces and nephews in the West Haven area. Mr. Levere served for many years as secretary-treasurer of the family owned Savin Rock Park Company in West Haven until his retirement in 1967 after ownership of the amusement park was taken over by a redevelopment project and the park was closed. He was predeceased by two brothers, Edwin A. Levere, Charles A. Levere, four sisters, Mabel Corcoran, Dorothy Kennedy, Olive Anderson and Millie Dreher and his dear friend and companion of many years, Helen Weinum. Mr. Levere was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a college fraternity whose national headquarters at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois are named after his uncle and namesake, William Colin Levere. Bill was well known in West Haven for his continuing interest in Savin Rock. He had widely distributed many photos of historical Savin Rock post cards, ride tickets and blueprints, many of which are still on display in local businesses. He also hosted weekly social gatherings at his home for friends he called the ''philosophers'': Bill Dorman, Harold Hartmann, Bill Kaminski, Ed Kearsn, Pat Libero, Doc Taurchini, Joey Santora, Henry Dreher and others, where conversations frequently centered on Savin Rock, old West Haven and many often-repeated but always entertaining stories. Bill was an avid reader whose interests included polar exploration, mountaineering and astronomy, as well as Voltaire and Bertrand Russell. Bill was a kind and generous, friendly, understanding man who will be missed very much by his family and his many friends. Visiting hours will be Friday, June 8 from 4 - 8 p.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, 410 Campbell Ave., at Court St., West Haven. Funeral service will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Bill's memory to the Savin Rock Museum, c/o Bill Dorman, 90 Dawson Ave., West Haven, CT 06516