JAMES ADLER LEVY
1940 – 2023
James Adler Levy, 82, of Yardley, Pennsylvania, died at his home there on August 14th after a battle with several ailments.
Known as Jim or Jimmy, he was born in Trenton, New Jersey in 1940. His family moved to Yardley in 1944 to a street called Alton Road, and with few gaps in time over the next 78 years, he lived his entire life on that street—first at his parent’s Charles and Elinor Levy’s house with his brother Paul, and then raised his own family at the house his parents built next door to his childhood home.
He was the son of Charles Levy, a businessman in Trenton and an owner S.P. Dunham and Co. department stores, and his mother Elinor, an artist.
His wife of thirty-seven years Rebecca “Becky” Deitz Levy pre-deceased him in 2004. She was his first love and a woman he not only idolized but who he called “the person with the most common sense of anyone he had ever known.” Becky and Jimmy built a wonderful life together in their community and loved playing golf and traveling together and truly just being together. Becky was his rock and emotional head of what became his own family with his two loving and devoted children, Jonny and Rachel.
Jim attended Newtown Friends School, The Lawrenceville School and graduated from Proctor Academy in Andover, New Hampshire. He graduated from The University of Pennsylvania in 1963. He started his career at Sears Roebuck as a young business trainee. He then joined his father at Dunham’s where he worked for many years. He learned how to be a businessman from his father who, along with Jim’s own brother, Paul, were his role models in life. Jim served in the Air National Guard.
At the age of 40, Jim, set forth on a new career as an investment advisor at Smith Barney where he worked for 36 years. He was on the Board of Directors at Greenwood House for the Jewish Aged in Trenton, a Board Member of Har Sinai Temple of Trenton and he served on The Newtown Friends School Board.
Jim was lucky in love not once, but twice. Jim’s daughter Rachel set him up on a blind date with Carol Sole of Michigan and Florida and Carol was Jim’s devoted companion since 2015. Jim and Carol shared much in common—love for travel, the arts and for their own children and grandchildren.
Jim leaves behind a son Jonathan “Jonny” Levy and his wife Jill Nusbaum of Princeton NJ and a daughter Rachel Levy Lesser, and her husband Neil Lesser of Newtown. Jim was the proud grandfather to three adoring young adults, Joseph “Joey” Lesser, Rebecca Lesser and Max Levy.
Jim is also survived by his brother, The Honorable Paul Levy and his wife Linda Levy of Lawrenceville, NJ, his sister-in-law, Joanne Hochman of Savannah, GA. and many loving nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are Wednesday August 16 at 11am at Har Sinai Temple, 2421 Pennington Road, Pennington, New Jersey.
Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, 1800 Hamilton Ave, Hamilton, New Jersey.
Shiva will be observed at the Lesser residence in Newtown, PA immediately following the burial, and from 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm on Wednesday, August 16 and on Thursday, August 17 with minyans at 6:30 pm.
The family respectfully requests memorial contributions in his memory be offered to Greenwood House, Har Sinai Temple, Mill Hill Child & Family Development Center, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences and information please visit OrlandsMemorialChapel.com
To the Levy family and Carol,
My sincere condolences to the loss of “Jimbo” Jimmy as we affectionately called him at the Club. Jimbo was one of the kindest gentleman I have ever known.
Jonathan, for you and your entire family, I extend my deep condolences. I know how close you and your dad were- May your memories keep you warm
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s death. It hurts so much, I know. From what I read here and what my former bunkmate and your mom Becky told me, he was indeed a wonderful man. My sincerest sympathies. Jill
Our condolences to your family. We’ll always remember jimmys winning smile and kind manner. Hugs and love
Riselle and Harris lilienfeld
Dear Rachel and Johnny,
I am so shocked and saddened to hear the terrible news about your father. He was so kind and warm.
Our families were very close. We shared so many great times.
May the special memories you shared together help you through this difficult time. I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.
Sending my love,
Janie Walters Cutler
Dear Rachel and Jonny,
Our sincere condolences for your loss. Your dad was truly one of the kindest person I’ve ever met.
I was fortunate and honored that he trusted me to be his golf coach for 14 years. Jimmy was always eager to learn as much as he could about the game of golf right up to his last lesson on June 10th.
The golf community at Cobblestone Creek / Greenacres lost a dear friend. Jimmy Levy will be sorely missed.
Michael LaBrutto and the entire Professional Golf Staff
We were saddened to hear the news of Jim’s passing. We had enjoyed many lunches and lively conversations with him at Greenacres.
David, Lori & Sloane Grodnick
Skillman, NJ
I am so saddened to hear of Jimmy Levy’s passing. An on and off again member at GA and now Cobblestone CC, Jim was the most welcoming, warm and friendly gentleman. We always sought one another out to catch-up and talk about golf, finance and share stories. Months and years could go buy and he would always take the time to stop me and pick-up our relationship once again. Jimmy you are one of a kind and will be sorely missed. My condolences to all who mourn Jimmies loss. May he always be a blessed memory.
Jonathan and Family,
Thinking of you at this difficult time. A father’s love is everlasting and remains wrapped around you like an eternal blanket. He may be gone, but he’ll live on in your heart forever.
Dear Rachel and Jonny,
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Our families go back generations from your great grandparents to your Mom who was my childhood best friend. I pray you will have love and strength at this time. My prayers and warm loving memories of all the times with all the members of your family are in my thoughts at this time. Sending you all my love, Nancy Hano
Hi Dear Jonny, I‘m so sorry for your Dad’s passing and deep loss but their is a flip side to it all as time passes with comforting memories. While we never spent much time together, Jimmy’s presence made them memorable. When we all went to the ballgame I was touched by his sensitivity. Especially his subdued tongue in cheek playful sense of humor with a somewhat subtle hint of his childlike footnote of a smile along with with a glint in his eyes and his facial expression’s that quietly accented his questing that left an unspoken impression, where others would say, “you know what I mean,” all part of his innocent demeanor and soft delivery. Seemingly engaging as old friends through the bedrock of you and Noah growing up together. Noah used to give me precious little stones on occasion that I kept in my pocket for many years that made me feel connected to Noah everyday when I donned my trousers to make sure they were transferred to my pocket with these physical touchstone that had a long life before I experienced them passing from Noah’s hand to mine on their journey. So I have a river rock that’s 23 million years old that I will hold in my hand and think of your Dad on his next journey as he reconnects with your Mom and all those who passed before him. And have always felt in the vastness of the universe that my Mom and Dad were in the room next door, not so far away, that has always comforted me. Imbued with their life spirit and biology as I run the course of my life in the presence of my memories influenced by their outpouring of loving energy 💕 Comforting thoughts to you, Jill, Max and family [Hug]
Jimmy was a warm and friendly man. He always said hi and we chatted about golf, retail. and the Club. I will miss seeing him. Condolences to Jonny and Rachel on your loss. He was one of the good guys .
Dear Jonathan and family, so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Dear Jonny, our deepest condolences on the loss of your father. The loving bond you two shared was apparent whenever we saw you together. May his memory be a blessing. Our thoughts are with you, Jill, Max, your sister, and your family.
Dear Rachel & family and Jonny & family,
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your wonderful father. My memories of him go back to when you and Jill were college friends at Penn. We always enjoyed being together for weekends there with your family as they were so pleasant and loving. I think of your mom so often and I’ve been thinking of your dad and your families since I heard the sad news .
Jill will be with you tomorrow as you can both comfort each other. Love, Wendy.
Dear Rachel, Jonny and Carol,
My sincere condolences on the loss of Jimmy. He was one of the sweetest and kindest person I was lucky to know for so many years. My heart goes out to you.
Sending much love and hugs,
I am so sorry about Jim. We were friends from the Smith Barney days, catching up every 6 months or so. When I think of your dad, I think if that great smile. He was a mensch and I will miss our conversations.
May his memory be a blessing, as it is with me, for I was blessed to know him and call him my friend.