He led an enriching life

Abraham Levy, a successful businessman and World War II veteran, lived in Woodmere and Hewlett for a half century. He died at his Hewlett home on Oct. 13. Levy was 97.

Born in New York City on July 27, 1915, he was raised in Brooklyn by loving parents, Celia and Isaac Levy, according to his son Jess Levy. His education included graduation from Lincoln High School and attending Brooklyn College before enlisting in the Army during World War II.

Morris Schefler, a friend of Levy’s, wrote this four years ago about his bridge partner for a magazine. “Abe Levy is [a] 93-year-old bridge friend of mine who was a private in the infantry. The highest percentage of fatalities in the infantry is second lieutenants. Orders to take military action are passed down the chain of command to the lieutenants, who then order his platoons to follow him. As he spearheads the attack he is often the first to be killed. The command is then taken over by the top-ranked sergeant down the line. The platoon was decimated so Private Levy took command over a handful of privates. He received two medals for the action, a Purple Heart for being wounded in action and a Bronze Medal for heroic action over and beyond the call of duty. He also received a battlefield commission.”

After his return home, 2nd Lt. Levy met the woman he would marry. Levy and Marilyn —Mikki is her nickname — enhanced each other’s lives. “They were enriched by a wonderful marriage and family over the past sixty-four years,” Jess said.

Levy’s business — Lafayette Butter and Egg Co. — a wholesale distributor that provided products to supermarkets and bakeries — was a success. In retirement, he continued to indulge his passion for tennis playing at Grant Park in Hewlett, along with playing bridge and taking part in reading and discussion groups at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. He and Mikki also traveled the world.

Family and friends were also the recipients of his business acumen as Levy provided them with well worn years of advice. “Abe had a large network of friends and they enjoyed his company and intelligence,” Jess said.

Levy is survived by wife and lifetime partner Mikki, sons Jess and his wife Sue, Daniel and his wife Penny, daughter Jane, grandchildren Jennifer, Elizabeth and her husband Michael, Justin, Talia and her husband Jonathan, Hillary and Eric and great-granddaughter Emily.

The family would like to thank the Hospice Nurses for their outstanding care during the past few weeks.

Donations can be made to: Hospice Care Network, 99 Sunnyside Blvd., Woodbury, NY 11797-9842 or to the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, 1125 Broadway, Hewlett, 11557-0903.