Shiva will be observed at the home of Joshua Sandberg
15 Copperbeech Place, Merrick NY 11566
Thursday following the service until 8 PM
Friday 2-6 PM & Saturday 6:30-8:30 PM
Shiva will be observed at the Sandberg residence
113 Sutton Landing Court, Commack NY 11725
Sunday 1-6 PM
Lee was someone who showed his love through his actions. He was incredibly generous, thoughtful, and happiest when the people he loved were happy. He loved being included and being part of everything, and he had a way of making the people around him feel cared for and supported. He was naturally quiet and reserved when it came to his emotions, but there was never any doubt about how deeply he loved his family and the people around him.
That strength became especially evident after his cancer diagnosis. He fought for four years and continually defied expectations. Even when he was in tremendous pain, he rarely complained or wanted anyone to worry about him. He continued to focus on the people around him and always found ways to give back.
Lisa was the love of his life. They were high school sweethearts who spent their lives growing together, building a family, and creating a life they were proud of. Through life’s greatest joys and deepest heartbreaks, they remained devoted to one another and stood by each other’s side.
Family was the most important part of his life. He was happiest when everyone was together and loved being part of the lives of the people he cared about. Lee was predeceased by his beloved son Garrett who he knows is waiting for him with the biggest hugs, smiles and kisses. He loved his daughter Erica deeply and was incredibly proud of her, and he was thrilled when she met Peter and their relationship became so special to him. Becoming a grandfather brought him an incredible amount of happiness. He was so excited for Logan and embraced being “Pop Pop” completely. Logan adored him, and their bond was something very special to watch.
He was the kind of person who gave so much of himself to the people he loved. He will be remembered for his generosity, his strength, his thoughtfulness, and most of all, the love he had for his family.
Marilyn Braun, age 92, passed away on October 4, 2026. Her funeral was on October 9, 2026 at Wellwood Cemetery in Pinelawn, New York.
For many years, Marilyn lived in Merrick, New York. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and a Master’s degree in Biology from Brown University. She dedicated her career to teaching and was an Assistant Professor of Biology at Queensborough Community College. Marilyn loved dogs, gardening, the arts and traveling. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Braun, her nephew, David Sergi, and her grandniece, Anne Sergi.
Mitch was born January 11, 1950, the fourth son of loving parents, Rosalind and Simon Levy, of Brooklyn, NY, and younger brother to Harvey, Nathan and Milton at the time, with their youngest brother, Jeffrey, coming a few years later.
He grew up and went to school in West Islip, NY. As an adolescent looking to find himself, he faced some confusing emotions and thoughts that he was different. As a teenager back in the 60’s, young people experiencing similar life choices felt the need to hide their emotions and feelings, and it was a difficult time for Mitch. At the same time, once he came out, he always had the love and support of his family, with his mom, Roz, creating a sense of acceptance, love and normalcy at home.
Mitch had a somewhat diverse career, but was always a hard worker, committed to excellence in every pursuit. As a teenager, he took on working with his father on the family food truck, waking each day at 5:00 in morning to trek to Brooklyn or the Bronx for the daily route. At end of each day, he would then stay and clean and flush the truck to get it ready for the next day, never complaining about the hard work and long hours.
Mitch attended Dowling College and went into the Banking industry. Having worked at several large banking institutions, establishing a recognized reputation in the industry, Mitch then shifted from being a banker himself to full-time recruiting, ultimately creating his own successful banker recruiting firm, Irwin Edwards Recruiters, which he ran for many years until his retirement. Regardless of what profession he was engaged in at the time, Mitch became the de facto trusted financial resource of the family; reliable, upstanding, smart as they come, and always generous with his time, advice, and often funds, to help others when needed.
Understanding from his own life experience the emotional and practical challenges facing families with LGBTQ+ children, and wanting to help serve that community, Mitch got involved with PFLAG, Parents and Families of Lesbians and Gays, eventually stepping up to run the PFLAG chapter for all of Long Island as its President. Its mission is to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them, which was right up Mitch’s alley. He had to step down in recent years due to health issues, but there’s no doubt that during the time he served, Mitch’s empathy, efforts and contributions have enhanced the lives of countless families and likely saved many as well.
Being a caring and responsible person, Mitch’s relationships were few and deeply committed. He ultimately met and married his soulmate and lifelong partner of 36 years, Bob, and they shared a loving life together in the beautiful Victorian home, circa 1899, that Mitch adored and poured his heart into restoring.
Mitch struggled in recent years with multiple health issues that began compounding and impacting his daily life. He faced them with grace and fortitude, even giving up his favorite foods when Gluten Free living became the norm. He recognized that time would eventually take its toll and was living and loving life each day.
Besides loving, and lovingly restoring, every room, nook and cranny of his Victorian home, he enjoyed estate sale hopping, and buying and fixing old radios, that he felt tied to him to earlier historical times, just like his house. He loved all things vintage and timeless. The movie “Somewhere in Time”, along with its haunting theme song, “Love Never Goes”, was one of his favorite films. He loved spending time with family, at gatherings that he or others would host, especially enjoying everyone’s company over a wonderful meal ending in something sweet. He loved running and would run for miles every day until he no longer could.
Mitch loved and was loved by so many. He was always there to support family and friends with the competence and confidence of years of experience, yet in a gentle and encouraging manner.
Mitch passed in Hospice Care surrounded by family. He will be missed by so many, most of all his husband, Bob, surviving brothers, Nate, Milt and Jeff, sister-in-law, Mary, nephews, Jesse and Joel, niece, Beth, great niece Meraissa, and lots and lots of cousins.
May we carry on his legacy of caring and being there for others and may his memory be for a blessing.
