James (“Jay”) Francis Levey passed away on Friday, February 24 at the age of 76.
He was born on December 4, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY. He joined the New York City Police Department in 1968 and retired as a Lieutenant, serving in the Emergency Service Unit. After retiring from the force, he continued his career working alongside bomb-sniffing dogs Elvin, Remi, Sally, and Buck.
Lt. Levey was a drummer in The Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society of the NYPD and The Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelagh bands. Growing up in Rockaway Beach, NY, he was an avid surfer, beach bum, reader, and lover of road trips. He enjoyed cold beers and a little Jameson now and again.
Lt. Levey is survived by his wife of 43 years, Margaret Mary Levey; his children Mark & Alice Knudson, Ryan & Darren Halli-Levey, Kristen & Nick Christian, and Jimmy & Ashley Levey; his siblings Bob & Margie Levey, Meg & Tom McGonigal, John & Barbara Levey, and Mary Alice & Donald Doherty.
Above all, he whole-heartedly loved his six grandchildren Parker, Conor, James, Shane, Ollie, and Brooke.
Visitation will be on Thursday, March 2 from 4pm – 8pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, March 3 at 10:15am at the Church of Saint Leo the Great, 50 Hurleys Lane, Lincroft, NJ.
To share a favorite memory or send a message of condolence, please visit Lt. Levey’s page of tributes at wwww.holmdelfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Jay’s favorite charity, The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.