The pain of loss seems to increase proportionally with the strength of love. For so many of us, the experience of loving someone with Williams syndrome - and being loved by someone with Williams syndrome - surpasses what words can express. And in turn, it seems to make that loss even greater. My heart aches at the loss of Josh Levinson, son of Dr. Marty and Elise Levinson. Josh passed away this Friday at the age of 45, surrounded by the love of his incredible family. Many of you know Dr. Marty, who has been an integral part of our WS community, and the WSA for decades - as a pediatrician, board member, speaker, advocate, father, friend, and in countless other ways.
So many things can be said about Josh, but his younger brother Gideon’s words say it better than I ever could.
12/9/79 - 11/7/25
Blessed is the true judge // ברוך דין האמת
To know Josh was to love him.
To become a better version of yourself because of him — to find a little more patience, a little more kindness, a little more joy, just because he was in your life. Because if he could find a way to smile, surely you could.
Josh inspires. His soul was holy. He was my greatest teacher. My biggest cheerleader. My best man. And he was that for everyone lucky enough to be in his orbit. But today his body told us that he was ready to go. Surrounded by the 7 of us, he went so peacefully - which is all I could have hoped for. We said Shabbat blessings together, we sang For Good, and he passed on just in time for Wheel of Fortune at 7pm
For 45 years he kept us laughing and he defied every odd — a living miracle whose strength, humor, and light carried all of us. Josh was sitting shotgun and we were all along for the ride. I just wanted more time on the road.
What an honor it was to have our worlds revolve around you.
To make space for you.
To go to the beat of your drum.
To hold your hand and walk beside you.
For 4 weeks, I’ve been trying not to imagine this day. Not to imagine a tomorrow without you. And now I have to. We all have to. Even in death, we will draw our strength from you. Because despite every hurdle if he could find a way to smile, surely we can. I just don’t know how yet.
I am just so grateful you’re finally resting, my sweet Joshy Dave. Thank you for making it to our wedding. Thank you for waiting for us to come home to say goodbye. Thank you for your light. We’ll meet again someday - just not soon enough.
- Gideon Levinson
For all of us with a loved one with Williams syndrome, or for anyone with Williams syndrome, the truth to Gideon’s words, and the beautiful memories being shared hit incredibly close to home. To Marty, Elise, Noah, Simon, Katy, Gideon, Jacob, and Josh’s entire family and to everyone who loved him, we’re so sorry for your loss, and we mourn along with you. And to everyone in our community who has experienced losing a loved one with Williams syndrome - we grieve with you, we are here for you, and you will always be part of our Williams syndrome “family.”
Josh, thank you for bringing so much love and laughter into the world. Through everything you faced, you were so brave - and we are all so proud.
May his memory be a blessing.
A recording of Josh’s service, full of laughter and tears, just as it should be, is available for viewing.
