Daniel Samter Levy, 68, a career noncommissioned Army officer and a longtime community volunteer, died Dec. 29 at his home in Flourtown of complications following brain tumor surgery.
Mr. Levy retired from the Army in 2002 as a Staff Sergeant after serving for 21 years, stationed throughout the country and around the world.
In retirement, he was an active volunteer, serving for the past 10 years at the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard in Ambler and participating in various food donation programs at the Ronald McDonaldl House in Philadelphia.
He spent summers working as a camp counselor at the Water Tower Recreation Center in Chestnut Hill and was committed to various veterans’ organizations.
Gina Maletta, director of the Water Tower’s summer camp and afterschool program, described Mr. Levy as “one of the most selfless people I’ve ever met.”
“He wanted to help anyone and everyone in any way he could,” she said, adding that Mr. Levy, who was involved in coaching and sports classes at the Water Tower, was “phenomenal in dealing with kids.”
Maletta said Mr. Levy and his family also contributed funds to Water Tower projects.
In 2009 he received the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Distinguished Service Award "for devoting his time, talent, and treasure in the true spirit of volunteerism at the Water Tower Recreation Center."
He was a member of the Cornerstone Church of Skippack, Rock of Israel and the Tenth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, and his strong dedication to his faith led him to mission service in Brazil and Greece.
Raised in Chestnut Hill, Mr. Levy was a graduate of J.S. Jenks Elementary School, Roxborough High School and what was then Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science.
He is survived by a brother, William R. Levy; and a niece, nephew and cousins.
A Military Honors and Burial Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown. After the ceremony, friends and family are invited to a luncheon and celebration of Mr. Levy’s life at the Washington Crossing Inn, 1295 General Washington Blvd., Washington Crossing.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard, P.O. Box 367, Ambler, PA 19002, or the Ronald McDonald House, 3925 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104. – WF
