LEONARD N. PLAVIN

LEWISTON – Leonard N. Plavin, a prominent Lewiston merchant for more than 50 years, died Thursday, April 15, 2010, at Hospice House, Auburn. Leonard, son of Abraham and Ethel Plavin, was born in Lewiston. After graduating from Governor Dummer Academy, Byfield, Mass., he attended the University of Maine, Orono, majoring in economics. He threw hammer for the track team, played football and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948. Upon graduation Leonard went to work for New England Furniture Co. – Maine’s largest home furnishers. Founded by his father, New England Furniture had stores in six Maine cities, with the headquarters in Lewiston. Leonard and his brother, Manuel, ran the company together for 40 years. The two of them also started a contract furniture business, NEFCO Contract Distributors, which remained active until 2004. Leonard had a lifelong passion for architecture, skiing, golf and photography. He was a vibrant member of the Bates College community, where his wife, Marcy, directed the dance program for 40 years. During Marcy’s tenure, Leonard took more than 10,000 pictures of the Bates College Modern Dance Company. He was active in the University of Maine Alumni Council and Executive Committee. He served as president of the Lewiston Auburn Jewish Federation, sat on the board of directors for the city of Lewiston Arts Commission, LA Arts, and Holocaust Human Rights of Maine. He was a member of the board at the University of Maine at Farmington, a member of the dance panel for National Endowment of the Arts and served on the committee for a Medical School for Maine. He also served as president/chairman of the board of Beth Jacob Synagogue and president of Martindale Country Club. Along with his wife of 56 years, Marcy, he is survived by his brother, Manuel; sister, Shirley; children, David, Lynda and Stephen; and five grandsons. Services will be held 1 p.m. Sunday at Temple Shalom Synagogue, 74 Bradman St., Auburn. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sakolsky-Plavin and Friends of Bates Dance Endowment Fund, care of Office of College Advancement, Bates College, 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, ME 04240. Condolences may be expressed online at www.albert-burpee.com.