Dr. Paul Barry Lavine, DDS, aged 68, of Elkton, MD, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2020 at home from pancreatic cancer surrounded by family and wonderful friends.
Born in Salzburg, Austria, he grew up in Lawrenceville, NJ where he attended Lawrence public schools. He went on to study at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland Dental School. After becoming a dentist, Paul entered the United States Army as a Captain and retired as a Lt. Colonel in the United States Army Reserves.
Dr. Lavine practiced family dentistry in Elkton, MD for decades with an unrelenting 24/7 devotion to his practice. He was lovingly referred to as “Doc” by many.
Son of the late Harry A. Lavine and Hermine Lavine, he is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Arun Lavine, a niece, Eliza, a nephew, Dylan. In addition to his relatives, Paul had many friends in his hometown who were like family to him and who embraced him as one of their own. Paul would like to be remembered as a person who loved to entertain people with his magic tricks, awful jokes, and crazy costumes. He loved to talk sports, watch and play basketball and go on an annual fishing trip with his Army buddies. “Doc” was a mentor to many young employees whom he encouraged to work hard and his words of inspiration forever changed their lives. In his final moments he was comforted in knowing that his family and friends would have only wonderful memories of him fully engaged in life. He would want to thank everyone for the love and prayers that were sent his way since finding out about his illness a few short weeks ago.
Funeral services and burial with military honors are Tuesday, November 17 at 2:00 pm at Fountain Lawn Memorial Park, 545 Eggerts Crossing Road, Ewing , NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Thank you Doc. Lavine, you were there for me for an emergency, Rest In Peace Sir, My Condolences to all of your Family and Friends. You will definitely be missed by so many.
I have been going to Doc since I was a teenager. He’s treated my whole family and all of my kids. He would talk to you like you were family. You never just felt like a patient with him. Even after I moved over an hour away, I kept him as my dentist because it was WORTH the extra drive to see him. He was constantly helping people. If you couldn’t afford to pay and he knew you were in pain, he’d do everything in his power to ease that pain. My younger brother had been attacked when he was only 14 and Lavine showed up at the ER at 3am to help with the damage to his teeth. I have more stories than I could ever have time to tell. This loss has shaken my whole family and he will certainly live on in our hearts. This is truly an immeasurable loss for the entire community and I wish all that knew and loved him peace and comfort.
There is too much to say about how wonderful Paul was. I can’t even look at the picture of him that was posted on FB without bursting into tears. He was one of the most joyful and loving people I have ever met. Years ago he used to do the dental work for kids at Job Corps in Port Deposit MD. These were kids that were mostly terrified of dentists and Paul was a dream for them. I used to tell people he volunteered there and he would always correct me and say “Mary Ellen, no it was a paid job”. I would ignore him and say – “Still it was a volunteer of love regardless of whether you were paid”. Paul was more than a dentist to our family. He was a wonderful, loving and caring man who we did have some opportunity to socialize with for a time. But socializing was not available much because of his commitment to his work and his making himself available to his patients whenever they needed him. For us he never turned us down, never delayed and always welcomed us with love and kindness whenever we had a need. My children loved his magic tricks (well I did too) and just his easy and wonderful way with them. There was never a complaint when we had to go to the dentist. He was an amazing and compassionate gift to so many. My condolences to his family and his friends and all those who loved him. The world is sadder place without him in it.
We loved you Dr. Levine. We will miss you. Rest in Peace.
Jean and Katelyn Richardson
I’m so sorry for the loss of Dr. Lavine. He was one of the most genuinely kind and hardworking people I have ever known. It was such a privilege to have him in my life, even for a short time. I worked for him when I was younger for a couple of years. He had a long lasting effect on me, as he does to almost everyone who gets to know him. I had kept in touch more. I thought of him often and had so many fond memories of my time there. He will always hold a dear place in my heart. There are so few genuinely selfless and humble people in this world, Dr. Lavine was one of them.
Condolences to the family
Our family had Paul as a dentist years ago Fantastic person and very caring. He will be missed.
I have been a patient at Doc’s office for over 20 years. He has even seen my children. I am extremely saddened by the loss of someone so special. As someone who works in the medical field I was always impressed by his constant molding of our future generation. The atmosphere in his office was one of reassurance that our future was bright as a nation. I later switched to seeing Dr. Schultz as he had recently joined his practice. Dr Schultz was one of the many young people whom Dr. Lavine mentored. I was just in the office about 2 months ago. Never thinking it would be our last greeting. My heart is saddened as I type this for all of his staff and clients. There will never be anyone who could even come close to filling his shoes. I will be in to see you all soon and will most certainly shed some tears. So it is with a heavy heart that I send my deepest sympathy to his many friends and family both far and near. I am great full for his service to our nation and community. Rest in peace Doc till we meet again.
My husband, children, and I were so shocked and saddened to hear of Dr. Lavine’s sudden passing. We found him about 10 years ago when looking for a new dentist. Dr. Lavine was such a great dentist, and a generally nice man, always inquiring about our health, the kid’s schooling, and whatever else was new at the time. He will surely be missed by many, including our family! Much sympathy to his family, friends, and office staff!
Condolences to the Family He was a very special Doc to everyone u will be sadly missed
Doc, man this hits hard. One of the most caring individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I’ve been a patient for well over 20 years. I have had a very serious health condition for several years and he would always stop and talk with me about what was going on, he was genuinely interested and cared about me. Worked relentlessly for his patients. Rest easy my friend. You will be missed so very much by the community you served for so many years. My condolences to his family, his work family and his friends. There will never be another like him……
We are all shocked about losing this wonderful person and dentist . Much sympathy to the family. I’ve been going to him for years, he will be missed.
Paul was a wonderful one of a kind man. I am so grateful to have known him. He will be greatly missed and I hope he knew how much he meant to us all. My most heartfelt condolences to his family and to all who knew, respected and loved him.
I met Paul at the Chesapeake Job Corps Center, Port Deposit, Maryland in 1984, where he worked some hours as their dentist for the students there who came from cities as far away as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and D.C. You can imagine how high schoolers, away from home and having to see a dentist must have felt petrified, but Paul was able to put them at ease with his magic tricks and kind and friendly demeanor. His work was his vocation and an expression of his deep and abiding love for all of us. Thank you Paul for your comfort and service to the sick and your joy…your abundant joy that you shared in every smile.
To the family, there are so many hearts that are feeling sadness, I am so sorry for your loss.
My wife, my son, and I have been seeing Dr. Levine for 5 years now. He saw me on an emergency basis when I cracked a tooth and my dentist refused to see me. He immediately became family to us. We are all heartbroken and will miss him dearly. We know he is in God’s hands now
My son and I just saw Doc in September and he was his usual kind light hearted self. He offered my son a job, and remembered when my son was just a baby 16 years ago. He talked with me for a few minutes about something and we said “See you later Doc”. He was a great human being. Now he gets to join the Angels and make sure they have great teeth. Bless you Doc and your family.
I am heartbroken after hearing the news of Doc Lavine’s passing. There will NEVER be another dentist like him. He was loved by his patients and treated his patients like his own family. May you rest in peace Doc.
Dr. Lavine- I am heart broken having just heard about your passing. Thank you for the years of taking care of my husband and I. Rest in peace
Paul, what will I do without those Sunday talks we had. I came to you on a Saturday night for a broken tooth and how were we to know what a bittersweet friendship it would be. You were so kind, caring and wonderful with such a great work ethic. Our community is devastated at losing you and won’t ever be the same. I just talked to you last week and you said time was short. How were we to know. You are resting in your Mothers loving arms no more pain do you feel. I will see you one great day my friend. Condolences to the family in your time of grief. Fly High my Angel plz watch over me
My name is Joe Kelley and I have been friends with Paul since the early 1980s. I met Paul at the Kirkwood branch of the YMCA where we played basketball together almost every day for what must have been 5 years. He and I were basketball junkies and became close social friends which continued until his passing. Paul was a welcome guest at my house in Delaware for many years and when I met my future wife, he became friends with both of us and later served as a groom in our wedding. When I first met Paul, he was interning for Dr. Fink in Elkton and soon thereafter considering buying out his practice. I was graduating law school and trying to figure out my life. We shared many long discussions about our lives and careers and I always benefited from his deep and caring perspective on the pressing issues of my life. He helped me make the decision to join the USAF as a Judge Advocate and serve my country. On the surface Paul was quick to make people smile but what many may not know is that he was a deep thinker and trusted confidant. Although I never returned to Delaware to live, Paul and I kept in touch and got together whenever I visited Delaware. He got to know each of my sons, and served as the trusted dentist for much of my extended Delaware and Maryland family. I deeply pained by the news of his passing. The last time I saw him was last year when my son and I stayed at his home when visiting Delaware. Paul and I always used to say that the best way to get to know someone is to share time on the basketball court with them. Since I shared so much time on the court with him I can attest that he was a truly noble individual; graceful, speedy, caring, creative and generous and I don’t want anyone to forget that he had a great outside shot. I will really miss him and his friendship.
Doc was one of a kind he cared immensely about his patients and would go out of his way for them. He squeezed me into his day many times for emergencies. I don’t know if anybody could fill his shoes. He will be greatly missed. Rest easy Dr. Lavine.
Dawn M.
Dr Lavine, my heart breaks hearing the news of your passing. I only wish to have been nearer these last months to know you weren’t well. You truly meant so much to our family, and will be forever missed. You alone made the world a better place and it’s difficult to process that you’ve left us. You have a continued way to bring tears; yesterday, tears of laughter, and today, tears of sadness and grief. No one made me laugh like you, and it never seemed to phase you that everyone loved to be around you, and constantly enjoyed your presence. My visits to your office were always ones where I’d end up laughing, even as difficult as it felt with my mouth sometimes propped open for dental work. I reminisce now, but through tears.
Since the 90’s, and until last few years, I’ve had the chance to see your busy life in our neighborhood of Washington Woods. Whether you were bike riding, running, playing basketball at the Y, doing yard work or shopping in the local produce section of the nearby grocery store, your presence was always one I took for granted until now, but this is usually how it goes.
Your laughter, jokes and YOU will be forever cherished and remembered, and I’m so grateful to have shared a part of the world with you.
Your life is honored, and we love you.
Holly Anderson, Meredith, Jack, Amelia and Gen
RIP, Paul. Still think about the times we spent growing up in the Lakelands, endless hours of playing hoops down at the lake, baseball at Slackwood, Wiffle Ball at Champ Field, Pinball at the Alleys, playing pool and good music at Nestor’s house, trips to Seaside and LBI. Never will forget the practices and home games and the bus rides to away games playing for Lawrence High. My first trip to Nantucket in my my VW with Paul and Mark McGlone in August of ‘71. Years later, visiting Paul at Hopkins and University of Maryland, going to Oriole games at Memorial Stadium and house parties enjoying those delightful National Premiums. Paul is one of the best individuals that I have ever known and have no doubt that we will meet again with the rest of the Lakelanders. Condolences to Roy and Arun and the rest of the family.
Dear Dr. Lavine,
When my family learned of your passing, we were all heartbroken. We will miss coming into your practice to a familiar and kind face. Thank you for all the years of care. We will miss you! Rest in eternal comfort friend.
I first met Dr Lavine while working for Dr Barry Roseman as we shared office space with him. He them became my regular dentist and friend. He was a kind and caring man and will be missed by all. I am blessed to have been a small part of his life for so many years. Rest in peace doc.
Dr Levine was a hell of a friend and a great person he will be missed by so many friends not patients friends he considered everyone a friend God Bless you Doc thank you for being the man you are I Love you as a friend and as my dentist you will be misses until we meet again
What a wonderful man. He has treated me for many years starting in that little office he and Dr. Shapiro shared. His kindness and gentle spirit never went unnoticed. Always had a smile and a joke to take the edge off of your visit. He always had time for all of his patients and there are many.
Doc, I’ll miss you but we will meet again for sure. Praying for your family and all of your extended family as well.
I was a patient of Dr Lavine’s .I am saddened by the news of his passing ! I remember when ever I went to his office he was very friendly always smiled and tell a joke or 2 ! I know he will be missed by so many ! My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends May you Rest in peace Thanks so much for all you have done for so many !!!
Sincere condolences to all the family, friends, and office staff of Dr. Lavine. Paul was one of the first dentists whom I met when starting orthodontic practice in Elkton. He was very helpful as a colleague, always friendly, caring, and fun to be around. He will be sadly missed by so many in our community!
Paul and I started our dental practices together in Elkton in 1985. He was one of the hardest Working people I have ever met. Paul was always available day, night, weekends, whenever. If you had a dental problem, Doc Lavine was there for you. RIP Paul.
Such a loss to the Community, he was such a terrific person and excellent dentist. I was impressed every time I had an appointment. He was such a mentor to his staff and certainly loved by all. Will miss him. RIP Doc
I was greatly saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Lavine. Doc was a one-of-a-kind guy. I always enjoyed our basketball conversations whenever I had an appointment. He was as friendly and accommodating as could be. My sincere condolences to his family and his office staff. He will be truly missed. Rest in peace Doc.
Sincerely, Bill Reese
Doc.was good to me and my family for years!If I was have financial problems he would never turn me away instead made treatment possible. He was a very kind generous man!Who helped alot of ppl in my community to receive dental care who other wise would not have been able to do so.The smiles he made brighter by his loving hands will not be forgotten:)May he rest in peace ❤🙏
This morning I woke up with a toothache and called Dr. Levine’s office Immediately, today is Saturday The 21st, obviously I just heard the shocking news and I feel sincerely devastated. I honestly came to love Dr. Levine in a very special way because of his tender touch and kind manners. I was a victim of a sexual assault which completely messed up my front teeth horribly and I was terrified to have them fixed, obviously I was concerned about the pain, and in general just giving in to trust someone (considering how the teeth got messed up in the first place) I did have a lot of trouble with trust. I remember my very first visit there in 2019 and I was shaking from head to toe, I guess because of the nature of the way they got messed up I was terrified to just lay there with my mouth open and that might seem silly but he totally understood what I was going through and I don’t have enough good words to use to express how comfortable he made me feel and that each and every time I went back for more work on my teeth I became less terrified and I was amazed that he was able to do that for me, you know, to put my mind at ease as there hasn’t been many people that are capable of doing that, he did however make me very comfortable, and he was gentle, even with his words. A victim of an assault Can often feel overtly anxious and nervous and our fright and fears don’t always match the situation but he totally understood it. He was so compassionate to my mental pain and guided me Through the process of having all of my front teeth fixed. There are doctors and dentists out there who simply do not have good bedside manners, so to speak, and they have a tendency to get seriously pissed off when a patient (such as a grown woman like myself) would cry with every needle, but when you are a victim of a violent crime, it doesn’t help at all if your dentist is also treating you with a lack of kindness. What I found in Dr. Levine when I saw him all of 2019 was that at no time did he appear agitated or raise his voice to me (because I was terrified to have my teeth worked on) even though I was dedicated to Getting it done (my goal was to finish all the front teeth in 2019) he was so kind to me, he never once made me feel like I was a burden or a pain in the ass patient. Which trust me, other dentists would have called me a problem patient for sure, but Dr. Levine never did. He was so kind, so gentle and often cracked jokes to try and make me laugh even if it was just for a moment. He gave me my smile back and he knew how important that was to me because someone else had taken it away from me and It left me unable to smile because God for bid anybody would ever see those teeth I would’ve been mortified. I learned how to smile without ever showing my teeth but it took a lot of practice for that and he would often joke with me that he wanted me to stand in front of a mirror and smile at myself until it became natural again . And when I would come back in he would ask me to show him my smile which even if I didn’t want to smile he somehow was always able to get one out of me. I Was honestly smitten with Dr. Levine and always wanted to take a picture with him after every visit. With every tooth that he fixed I was coming out of a dark shell and I was so proud to have a picture taken with him because I was growing and it felt good. It felt like my soul was smiling. It was important to me that He knew how much I appreciated what he was doing for me and that he was someone special to me. I had Developed trust which was a huge deal for me Considering what I had been through at the hands of someone else. he knew how hard this was on Me, and we had agreed to just do one tooth at a time so that I could feel safe and work at a pace that was most comfortable for me. I remember The last day of the year I saw him, it was New Year’s Eve 2019 and I had two teeth left that needed to be done and I felt like I had missed my goal because I didn’t want to go into 2020 still needing work on my front teeth And so I said to him let’s just do both of them today! he just had a huge smile on his face and he said are you sure about this ? Are you up for this ? And I recall feeling so brave and strong because of him ( maybe this may sound childish, and I’m 60 years old OK) but I remember smiling at him and saying, YES! let’s do it! let’s just finish up the front! That was the last time I ever saw him. I was so happy that day. I had really come a long way and I give him all the credit for that because he was sincerely compassionate and you really don’t find many people like that these days. On that day I gave him a big hug and asked for a picture of the two of us so I could put it on my Facebook page because I wanted to tell everyone what a great dentist he was . I thanked him immensely for getting me through all of that and for working with me to help me reach my goals. If it weren’t for him I would probably still have wrecked front teeth and still not be able to smile. I don’t know who to reach out to to send proper condolences to, (perhaps his brother?) I just want to say I am so sorry for your loss truly, this is shocking for anyone that knew him I’m sure , but I feel like it’s a loss for me as well as I had grown so close to him in 2019 while we did this delicate dance around my wrecked front teeth. He gave me so much more than just my smile back, he gave me confidence and the ability to trust. I was so grateful and so blessed to have known him. I am hopeful that his brother will see this Condolence and just know that he was loved by so many people, obviously patients like myself that never saw him outside of an office setting but loved him like he was a true friend. I sincerely feel like I’ve lost a dear friend and I can only imagine what it must be like for the people closest to him whether they be his brother , coworkers , employees , army buddies, I’m pretty certain he touched a lot of peoples lives in the most profound positive way. I apologize if this is a long winded message however there really wasn’t a short enough sentence to describe how much I adored Dr. Levine and how much he truly meant to me. My heart is a little bit broken today because God took one of his angels home. I have an image in my mind that he might run into my father in heaven and that even my father would thank him for the kindness he bestowed me. To the brother of Dr. Levine my heart goes out to you for your tremendous loss. From a patient’s perspective I can tell you he was the best thing that ever happened to me. RIP Dr. Levine…..you WILL be missed. ❤️🙏✝️☮️
Dr. Lavine you were a amazing dentist. Prayers for comfort to your family and friends . RIP Doctor Lavine.
I just found out that doc passed away today and I’m totally heart broken right now, he was a wonderful man. He worked tirelessly for the people of our community in Elkton Maryland, and will be truly missed.
Prayers for all the employees who were literally his family as doc never left his office, you could ride pass his office at 10:00pm and he would still be working. Our community has truly lost a one of kind dentist. RIP Doc
I knew Paul in the late70s when he was at Fort Bragg. Sounds like nothing changed except more people grew to love him. He told me he wanted to be a clown growing up. He loved jokes (I still repeat the Rodney Dangerfield jokes.). He ate once a day at lunch at McDonald’s. He could juggle. He used to demonstrate how he could stand in front of the couch and jump over the to the other side. He loved to play scrabble. I met his mother and father one time. He loved Saturday Night live. He was loved by his friends then too.