Sylvan Shemitz

Sylvan R. Shemitz (April 18, 1925 New Haven, CT – July 5, 2007 Long Island Sound), known simply to friends as Sy, was an American lighting designer best known for his work on Grand Central Terminal in New York City and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C.

Shemitz was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1925 from a family of Ukrainian Jews. His aunts and uncles included attorney Reuben Shemitz and artist Esther Shemitz; his cousins included attorney Nathan Levine.

Shemitz served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He went on to complete his education at the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School. His work with higher education continued throughout his life. Shemitz was a fellow at the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and taught as a visiting lecturer at a number of schools including Yale University, the Rhode Island School of Design and Princeton University.

He was described as an avid boater and yacht racer. Shemitz completed the race from Newport, Rhode Island, to Bermuda on twelve different occasions. He also ran numerous yacht races throughout the Long Island Sound on his beloved boat "Light Fantastic".

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