High Flying Brother: George Levis' First Century



Ill. A. James Bryden, 33°, Secretary for the Valley of Williamsport, reports that his Valley traditionally recognizes its members who have extended service. Every once in a while a unique story accompanies such a ceremony. On Oct. 28, many members received pins for 50, 60, 65, and 70 years in the fraternity. Usually those recipients who cannot attend ask that their award be mailed.
One member, who could not attend in person, was Bro. George A. Levis. He explained that he was not able to drive because he was 100 years old, and he lived in Baltimore. The Commander-in-Chief, Ill. Gregory C. Wenrich, 33°, decided that his pin should be hand-delivered, rather than mailed.
He called Bro. George, who was now 101, and told him that he would arrive “on Friday.” George Levis respectfully declined, stating that “Fridays are not possible. I go flying with friends on Fridays.” Instead, he told him that he would be in Williamsport in January, so arrangements were made to make the presentation at that time.

Flying, apparently, is George’s passion and has been since he was a young boy in Ireland. One day in 1918, according to the Evening Echo, a County Cork newspaper in Ireland, he spotted a Curtis Seaplane over Whiddy Island, off the Bantry coast, and he was hooked.
In May 1926, at the age of 16, he made his way to America to pursue his dreams. By 1928, just a year after Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight over the Atlantic, Levis learned to fly. He’s kept his eye on the sky ever since.
His career never strayed too far from the air. He began work on an aircraft assembly line and eventually became a demonstrator pilot. As a sideline and hobby he restored old planes. He also owned his own aircraft for more than two decades.
At the age of 91 he started a restoration of a Piper Super Cruiser. Seven years later the plane was certified for air worthiness.
He has logged more than 4,000 hours in the air and was given the “Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award” from the F.A.A.
According to the Evening Echo, he says, “If you’re in the air, you’re in the third dimension.”

Levis, who took his Scottish Rite degrees in the Valley of Williamsport on June 6, 1945, now has a Facebook page dedicated to his life. Called “George A. Levis Appreciation Society, Born 1909,” a visitor can find posts and photos of this remarkable man.
When flying for so long – indeed, almost from the beginning of aviation – there will be problems. Levis has had nine forced landings. He says, “When you’re young you don’t think about those things.”
At 101 years young, Bro. George Levis still keeps his dreams aloft.