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Coach Marv Levy’s 100th Birthday Gift
This dedicated bench was a surprise from Marv’s generous friends and family.
Beloved longtime neighbor and friend to many, Marv Levy (aka “Coach”), is marking his centennial birthday on August 3rd, 2025. Marv is a native Chicagoan and Cubs fan who attended South Shore High School. After graduating Marv joined the Army Air Corps during WWII. He went on to get a Masters degree in English History from Harvard. If you know Marv, you know he is a man of character with a kind and witty nature. His enthusiasm for walking twice daily through the park is an inspiration at any age.
For twelve years (as of his 2025 Bench Dedication), Marv has called Lincoln Park his home. For twelve seasons (from 1986 to 1997), Marv has called Buffalo his home, coaching the Buffalo Bills to an unprecedented four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 90s. He holds the record as the Bills winningest coach. Today, if you asked him “Where Else Would You Rather Be?” he would surely answer “Right Here, Right Now”. This was his famous quote before kickoff for 47 years as a football coach! The quote lives on at the Buffalo Bills stadium today and continues to be exclaimed by the team and fans before every home game!
Marv celebrated his 100th birthday in August 2025 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Pro Football Hall of Fame hosted a very special weekend-long birthday celebration honoring Marv’s life and football career, ending with a stadium full of fans, friends, family, media, and fellow Hall of Famers (including his former players, who led the charge) singing “Happy Birthday” to him to “kick off” the 2025 Enshrinement Ceremony! Marv was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
Revered among his Hall of Fame peers, Marv is also loved by his past players who are like his sons and have always been a part of his family, along with his beloved wife, daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, and sister (and late wonderful parents). Marv is a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend!
Celebrate Coach Marv Levy Our beloved friend for his 100th!
"Where Else Would You Rather Be Than Right Here Right Now?!"
It is with great joy that 100 gifts were donated from friends and family from all over (including from the “near and dear” Lincoln Park and Buffalo communities) to honor Coach Levy with a Lincoln Park North Pond Bench Dedication.
The plaque reads:
COACH MARV LEVY Our Beloved Friend For His 100th
“Where Else Would You Rather Be Than
RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW?!”
The bench was installed in November 2025.
You can help keep the park Coach Marv Levy loves as beautiful as ever by donating below. Your support ensures the bench dedicated to him remains surrounded by the nature and serenity he cherishes every day. All donations made on this page will be in honor of Coach Marv Levy and will benefit the Lincoln Park Conservancy for improvements to, maintenance of, and the beautifuication of Lincoln Park.
- 2430 N. Cannon Drive
- Chicago, IL 60614
- (773) 883-PARK (7275)
Make a donation today to support our mission to improve and maintain Lincoln Park – Chicago’s largest and most visited park.
The Lincoln Park Conservancy is an IRS-recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit, FEIN #36-3320423
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