James Hyland Levasseur

James Hyland Levasseur, 85, of Edgewater, Maryland, known as “Hy” by his family and friends, passed away on Saturday, April 6.

Hy was born December 27, 1938, to Julian John Levasseur and Priscilla Hyland Rice-Levasseur at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Hy, a Baltimorean, grew up in the urban community of Bolton Hill. Playgrounds were not yet considered a part of urban planning, so when not in school, Hy entertained himself by running the streets—up, down, and all over, for miles every day.

In 1951, Hy’s parents sent him to The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland—a highly respected private school. In 7^th grade at Boys’ Latin, Hy learned to play and was challenged by lacrosse. He became a member of the Boys’ Latin lacrosse team, playing midfield. As a senior, Hy was also quarterback and captain of the Boys’ Latin High School football team, as well as guard and team leader of the basketball team. Additionally, Hy was editor of the school newspaper, President of his class, and valedictorian.

In 1958, Hy started attending the University of Viriginia, where he continued to be impassioned by, and excel in, lacrosse. In 1961, after UVA defeated previously unbeaten Army (the only unbeaten team in the country that season until then), Mr. Dinty Moore, former Navy and Princeton lacrosse coach and chairman of the All-American Selection Committee in 1961, introduced himself to Hy and proceeded to tell him that he was the best midfielder he’d seen that year, and added, “and trust me, I’ve seen them all.” Hy felt this was the greatest sincere compliment he had ever received from a legitimate lacrosse expert and afficionado.

In 1962, after college, Hy enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Infantry Officer and held the rank of Captain. From 1965–1966, Hy was a Combat Cargo Officer aboard the LPH U.S.S. Guadalcanal, and in charge of all Marine Corps equipment and personnel loaded and off-loaded. Hy continued as a reserve Marine from 1968–1990. Although no longer an active Marine, Hy always believed that once a Marine, always a Marine.

From 1970-1978, Hy worked as the Executive Director of the Maryland Commission on Physical Fitness. During this time, he was host of NBC WBAL-TV 11’s health education and physical fitness TV show, “Trimnastics”, along with his first wife, Jocelyn. In 1979, Hy became manager of the Federal U.S. Department of Transportation’s Health Education and Employee Physical Fitness Program, which was open to all federal employees in Washinton, D.C., and coordinated regularly with the “President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports” in the nationwide promotion of fitness and sports. Hy retired from the U.S. government in 2001, but continued to collect, restore, and sell antiques and sports memorabilia in his retirement.

Hy was a dedicated, caring, loving father, a friend to many, and a truly wonderful man who enjoyed living life on his own terms. If you knew him, you probably already know that he was always full of life and full of energy, charming and easy to talk to, and able to find humor in good times, bad times, and everywhere in between—even if inappropriate! He loved to travel anywhere with water and sunshine; a couple of his favorite vacation spots being Maui and Kauai, which he visited numerous times throughout his life. He also enjoyed doing impressions, namely of Elvis Presley and Rodney Dangerfield, and loved to sing whenever he had the chance. And he, of course, never lost his passion for health & fitness or lacrosse, which continued to be a part of his life even throughout his later years. Hy was so full of love and never afraid to show or say how much he cared for and loved those close to him. It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to such a kind, loving soul, but we can feel at ease knowing he is now at peace, and with his parents, who he loved very much and frequently talked about.

Hy is predeceased by his first wife, Jocelyn, and survived by his son, Christian, daughters, Michelle & Shaun, Brother, Jay, second wife, Linda, who he remained close friends with until his passing, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

We are having a viewing and funeral service for Hy on Friday, April 19, at McCully Polyniak & Collins Funeral Home, P.A 3204 Mountain Road Pasadena, MD. from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Funeral services will begin at 2:30 pm. Guests should arrive 1 pm.