Donald Smart Leverich, age 71, of Port Jefferson, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 2, 2026.
He was born on August 21, 1954, in Glen Head, NY, to Anne and Bill Leverich. Following his father's career, Don's early years included time in Honolulu, HI, and Hazlette, NJ. He spent most of his youth in Cass City, MI and Southold, NY. He grew up on the water, starting on Lake Huron, then honing his sailing skills on the Eastern seaboard.
He married Laurie (Bondarchuk) Leverich on September 1, 1979 in Greenport, NY. They lived in Maryland, New Hampshire, and Greenport before moving out to Port Jefferson in Suffolk County. He was the biggest cheerleader for his daughters, Kelsey and Janine, supporting and encouraging them to pursue their passions. He regularly helped put on theater shows and created unique lenticular photographs for the graduating class at the Port Jefferson senior prom for over 20 years. He was a natural with his granddaughters, teaching them how to draw and paint and playing with them in the pool.
After his family, Don's biggest sources of joy were good art, good food, and good conversation. With a degree in art education, he was engrossed by all facets of the art world, from its rich history to his own place within it. His own art moved fluidly between watercolor, pastels, photography, and line drawing, capturing images that brought joy in both graphic and fine art sensibilities. And he treated cooking with the same creativity and care. Whether he made his famous Goopy Chicken or a melange of some sort, the food was always delicious but the conversation around the table was the main dish.
Above all else, Don was curious. He was constantly interested in things — AI, art, culture, old farm tractors, sailing, industry, technology, and commerce. And he was curious about other people. He genuinely wanted to know what made everyone he met light up, so he talked to everyone. He was fascinated by everyone's path in life.
Effortlessly gregarious, his career spanned teaching, managing, mentoring, and creating, often in the service industry. He taught public school and college art classes, ran commercial print shops, operated a marina and sold sailboats, and worked in the Middle Country Public Library, where he built a maker space community and helped local residents with 3D printers, engravers, and fabricators. As a manager, he had the unique ability to connect as effectively with employees as he did customers, providing coaching instead of supervision and guidance instead of selling tactics. Like the rest of his life, the humanity of his work drove Don more than anything else.
He is survived by Laurie, his wife; Kelsey (Pete) and Janine, his daughters; Olivia and Emma, his granddaughters; William Leverich, his father; and Diane (Billy) and Sandy (Todd), his sisters. He was preceded in death by Anne, his mother.
He will be remembered for his huge heart and compassion and the way he lit up a room with his affability. People always say to hug your loved ones, you don't know when might be the last time. And we all should do that more. But for Don's sake, talk to the cashier the next time you're buying groceries. Or make a joke with the person next to you also trying to figure out the QR code on the parking meter. You don't know what kind of human connection you'll make until you do it.
A gathering in honor of his life will be held on August 1, 2026 from 1pm–4pm, at Seagyan, a private beach, 5830 Indian Neck Lane, Peconic, NY 11958. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the International Rescue Committee, a cause for empowering women Don supported.