“I have experienced so much, and I believe there is an appreciation for that experience,” says Levine, vice chairman of the UFT’s retiree chapter.

“I want to see to it that the union continues to grow. I try to influence [union] policies the best that I can. Sometimes I’m successful, sometimes I’m not. But I feel this is something that I have to do,” says the 77-year-old.

His desire to give back to the union has made Levine a highly respected activist. When he became an elementary school teacher in 1951, he joined the Teachers’ Guild, a predecessor of the UFT. Levine became the UFT’s vice president for elementary schools in 1960 and later served as assistant to UFT president Albert Shanker. Levine held these positions until he retired in 1993.

And the retiree remains actively involved in the union. “I speak up for retirees, but I always remember to speak up for all members,” he says. “As unionists, we know that there will always be battles to be fought. We must continue to build not only for ourselves and today’s in-service members but also for the generations to come.”

Being chosen as AFT’s most honored retiree makes Levine a little uncomfortable, he admits. But he hopes it will encourage other retirees to get more involved.

“Everyone looks at retirement in a different way,” Levine notes. For some it’s a time to relax; for others, a time to engage more fully. “It’s very fortunate that retirees remain a part of the union,” he says. “I feel a great satisfaction in what I do, and I will continue my union activity until I can’t.”