Obituary of Alvin Levitt

Alvin Joseph Levitt was born on September 28, 1928 in Senlac, SK. He was the 5th surviving child of Eliza and William Levitt, and grew up on a farm near Hayter, AB, close to Dillberry Lake and the Alberta/Saskatchewan border. His siblings were Ellen, William (Bill), Norman, and Jean. The family was a musical one and had their own band, playing for community dances. Ellen played the piano, Bill and Norman played fiddle, Jean played guitar, and Alvin played the saxophone. The Levitt children went to a one-room school which ended in grade 9 . He attended high school in Provost and then joined the RCMP. He went through basic training in Regina, where he and another cadet were responsible for breaking the horses used for the musical ride. His first posting was to Piney, MB, and then to Dartmouth, NS. He was then sent to the opposite coast, where Vancouver became home. While in Vancouver, Alvin met Mable Beer. They married on May 18, 1953, and made Vancouver their home for a while. During this time, they had two children, Maureen and Ryan, then moved to Bralorne, BC and then on to Alexis Creek, BC. There, two more children were added to the family, Bill and Becky. The family then moved to Kamloops, where Marianne was born. They were transferred back to the Lower Mainland, living in Richmond. This is where Bonnie was born, completing the children of the family. The Levitts moved to Delta, and Alvin commuted the short distance to Richmond. Alvin retired from the RCMP in 1972, after 25 years of service. Alvin had long dreamed of farming on the Prairies, so the family moved to Wainwright, AB, which was close to his boyhood home. Alvin and Mable had a mixed farm for many years, later concentrating only on grain farming. Alvin finally consented to retiring completely in 2003, they sold the farm, and moved to an acreage at Wetaskiwin, AB. Mable passed away in January of 2008, but Alvin remained an active member of the Wetaskiwin community. He attended seniors' dances and events with his friend Rose, played cards, and visited their many friends. Alvin was a devout member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which became known as the Community of Christ. He was baptized at the age of 9 and as an adult, became a member of the priesthood of the church, holding the offices of Priest and then Elder. He particularly enjoyed visiting isolated Church members in Alberta in his capacity as non-resident pastor and fulfilled that role with much enthusiasm for a number of years. Alvin loved to travel, and he and Mable travelled extensively, throughout Western Canada; much of the USA including Hawaii; New Zealand; Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Alvin was also a devoted hockey and baseball fan and enjoyed watching any game being televised. He remained a musician for his entire life, playing many different saxophones; ukuleles; the clarinet and banjo. He loved to sing, and would often add harmony to his much beloved hymns. He was a great player of games, with 500, crib and Hide-and-Seek being amongst the favourites. Alvin passed away in the early hours of February 20, 2012 in his home with his family gathered around him. He is survived by his siblings Ellen, Bill, Norman and Jean; his children Ryan, Bill, Becky, Marianne and Bonnie; three children-in-law, thirteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and many friends and extended family members.