Richard "Dick" Levy

Richard “Dick” Levy, age 90 passed peacefully into God’s hands on April 7, 2023 surrounded by loved ones following a long and fulfilling life during which he dedicated much of his time to community service, family and his church.

A man of strong faith, Dick was born in Digby and worked initially as a paperboy. He also helped his father in the family drug store, as well as at both the Capital and Bijou theatres as an usher and projectionist.

Entering adulthood, Dick’s outstanding conduct in the Sea Cadets in Cornwallis, resulted in a prestigious promotion to Midshipmen, and he served in the HMCS Scotian as an assistant training officer, retiring from the reserves in 1967 as a Lieutenant (N)

Dick met his first wife, the late Donna Joyce (Hubley) Levy in Chester, NS and they were married in 1957. One of Dick‘s greatest and enduring accomplishments was his own design and hands-on construction of his family home in Digby, where they raised their family. Some of his proudest moments included the weddings of his two daughters, the birth of his grandchildren, and having been presented the Joe Casey Humanitarian Award for his significant contribution to the betterment of the town of Digby.

Dick pursued a career as a pharmacist, and attended the Maritime College of Pharmacy. He was a member of the NS Pharmaceutical Society since 1957 and not only owned and operated Levy‘s Drug Store in Digby for many years, but also served in several other local Nova Scotian pharmacies. He was a distinguished member of the American College of Pharmacists, being honoured by the Pharmacy Society for 50 years of service as a licensed, practising pharmacist. He also received special recognition from the Medical Society for being the first to discontinue the sale of tobacco products from his pharmacy in 1984. He received the Wheth-Awerst and Whitehall Robbins award for outstanding community service in Pharmacy in 1993.

When asked, Dick always felt that his proudest civic accomplishments included his regular whole blood donations (a total of 117 to the Red Cross in his lifetime); serving as Mayor of the Town of Digby from 1988 to 1991; and his involvement in the Digby Baptist Church, that included positions as usher, trustee, choir member, church moderator, and being on various committees since 1949. He was also one of the cornerstones and a valued member of the men’s choir, which he dearly loved being a part of.

Dick was also Secretary, and eventually President of the Digby Board of Trade; Treasurer of the Digby Curling Club; the first Bulletin Editor of the Lions Club of which he was later President and Zone Chairman; President of the Digby branch of the Canadian Red Cross for 1981 to 1999; Chairman and Director for the Scallop Days Association for several consecutive years and it’s Master of Ceremonies.

Other civic duties, committees and awards included the following; Trustee on the board of the Admiral Digby Museum; committee member of the Digby School Board; Commissioner for the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia; member of the Digby Area Advisory Committee; Chairman of the Digby Business Improvement Committee in 1978; President of the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival, 1996 and 1997; member of the Digby and Area Health Service Foundation; member of the Committee for Revision of Constitution and Act of Incorporation (Digby); awarded by the Red Cross for 100 blood donations; Governor of the Order of Good Cheer; community contact for CBC from 1999 to 2012; member of the Annapolis Basin Community Band (tuba); member of the Board of Directors for the Basin Wellness Society as well as fundraiser committee; cabinet member for the “Fundy Y”; recipient of the Bowl of Hygea in 1993; recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal; recipient of the Digby Area Board of Trade Life Achievement Award and member of the Medical Emergency Digby in Crisis Board.

One of Dick’s greatest joys was enjoying coffee with his many friends, and being a part of the Poorhouse Poker Club.

At the age of 80, Dick married Jacqueline (Schumacher) Levy, and enjoyed nearly 11 years of joy and contentment with her in their home in Marshalltown. Never far apart, they enjoyed time traveling, spending time at his stepdaughter’s farm in Shubenacadie, relaxing in the gardens and special times with his friends from near and far.

His was a life fully and truly lived, a man who was vivacious, energetic, and who loved to laugh, joke, love and be loved.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, Chester M. and Ella (Webber); brother, Donald; son, Peter; Wife, Donna (Hubley); daughter, Karen (William) Sinclair and sister, Muriel Levy.

He is Survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jacqueline (Schumacher) of Marshalltown; daughter, Margo (Robert) Nesbitt of Digby; stepdaughters, Cheryl Longmire (Neville Elms) of Halifax, Stacie Saunders (Kelly Powell) of Shubenacadie; stepson, Scott Saunders of Halifax; Grandchildren, Colton Nesbitt (Shelby Banks) of Alberta, Brooke Nesbitt (Colan Cromwell) of Wilmot, Madison (Mike) Gaudet of Marshalltown; great-grandchildren, Emma of New Albany, Jake and Kenzie Nesbitt of Alberta, Aubree Nesbitt, Landon Hiscoe of Wilmot, Mason and Makenna Gaudet of Marshalltown.

Visitation for Dick will be held Tuesday, April 18 at Jaynes Funeral Home from 6-8pm and funeral service will be held Wednesday April 19 in the Digby Baptist Church at 1pm with Rev. Donald Robertson to officiate.

Donations in memory can be made the the Digby and Area Health Services Charitable Foundation.