dciTed Levine, founder of travel and economic development PR powerhouse Development Counsellors International, died Aug. 6. He was 88.

The New York native was director of PR for the government of Puerto Rico in 1960 when he hatched the idea to start a firm to market destinations. DCI, which opened with Puerto Rico as its first client, has promoted more than 400 clients in its 55 years and is now led by Levine’s son, Andy, who joined the firm in 1991.

“He was a creative fellow who could instantly come up with amazing headlines and story themes,” Andy Levine said of his father.

Levine taught also media courses at Iona College, Palm Beach Community College and the Jewish Community Center of Boynton Beach

Levine is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia; three sons, David, Andy and Jeffrey and two grandsons, among others.