Parkinson's Foundation Mourns the Loss of Harold P. Kravitz and His Daughter, the Honorable Shelley J. Kravitz

The Parkinson's Foundation mourns the loss of two prominent figures in the history of the Foundation: Harold P. Kravitz, Esq. and his daughter, the Honorable Shelley J. Kravitz. 

On January 2, 2018 the Honorable Shelley J. Kravitz passed away unexpectedly at the age of 64. Judge Kravitz, a Miami County Court Judge, served on the National Parkinson Foundation board from 2004-2016. She served as chairwoman of Miami-Dade's county canvassing board, a three-person panel tasked with reviewing questionable ballots and presiding in a judicial capacity over election recounts, including the Bush-Gore presidential recount in 2000. She served for a time as president of the Dade County chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and also acted as a mentor who helped indoctrinate new judges into the profession.

We also honor the legacy of Harold P. Kravitz, Esq., President Emeritus of the National Parkinson Foundation who passed away on January 4, 2018 at the age of 93. Mr. Kravitz served on the NPF Board from 1957—2016 when he moved to Emeritus status. His generosity and dedication to the foundation and to the Parkinson's community throughout his life will not be forgotten. Sixty plus years ago, Mr. Kravitz represented and helped Jeanne Levey, founder of the National Parkinson Foundation, prepare the legal documents to incorporate the foundation in Miami. He recruited many prominent members of the NPF Board including Nathan Slewett, former president, John W. Kozyak, Esq., current chairman of the board, and his own daughter, the Honorable Shelley Kravitz. Mr. Kravitz was a member of the Dade Florida Bar Association and was a practicing attorney in Miami for over 50 years. His professional background was in banking, municipal law, insurance and automotive and construction industries and ERISA trusts. Mr. Kravitz was also a director and chairman of several banks. He was a paratrooper during WWII and was one of a very select American recipients of the Legion of Honor, the highest French order of military merit. Mr. Kravitz was married to his wife Betty Kravitz for 63 years before her death in 2013. He is survived by his son Richard Kravitz and grandson Joshua Kravitz.

"Harold was truly part of the 'greatest generation' and was a real, decorated hero," said John W. Kozyak, chairman of the board for the Parkinson's Foundation. "He left us in a manner we can only salute and we are indebted to his service to the country and the foundation."

The leadership and staff at the Parkinson's Foundation offer deepest condolences to the Kravitz family.