John Maurice Levy, 77, of Gloucester, VA, died on April 2, 2017, at Riverside Hospital from complications of heart bypass surgery.
He was born in Washington, D.C. and after graduating from New York University John joined the Peace Corps and served in Nigeria, West Africa as a teacher. There he-met and married his wife of 53 years, Kaye.
John used to say that he joined the Peace Corps to "end war, racism and poverty" and his devotion to these issues throughout his life was felt by all who knew him. His long career as a teacher of law at the College of William and Mary touched the lives of many students. John's work with Legal Aid and the ACLU-VA extended over many years, as did his time as a board member of the Wmsbg/ JCC Community Action Agency.
Many years ago he began carving small fish and "talking sticks" out of cedar and those who met John were usually given one and heard their history. He kept a record of these and recently declared the total to be close to 3500 or more.
John was a unique, gentle, intelligent man; a lover of nature; a steward of the earth; devoted to his 2 children, 6 grandchildren and his wife, Kaye. His was truly a "life well lived" and he will be missed beyond measure.
John is survived by his wife, Kaye, daughter, Shanti (Dan) of Reston, VA, son, Adam(Melanie) of Winchester, VA, sister, Sue Halpern of Potomac, MD, and six grandchildren, Chelsea, Zak, Ella, Calum, Oliver and Drew.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 22, at 2:00 at Lake Matoaka Amphitheater at William and Mary in Williamsburg. Rain location will be Trinkle Hall.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Levy Loan Repayment Fund, William & Mary Law School , PO Box 3527, Williamsburg, VA 23187.
Additional organizations include: ACLU - VA (acluva.org) and the Wmsbg/ JCC Community Action Agency (wjcc-caa.org)
Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.