Stuart Paul Levy, 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016.

Stuart was born on Jan. 2, 1933, to the late Samuel Levy, of Suffolk, and Jeanne Levin Levy, of Baltimore, Md. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alice Riddick Levy, of Hobbsville, N.C., and brother, Dr. Donald M. Levy, of Norfolk.

At the age of 8, Stuart began working as a “runner” in his father’s retail business, The Young Men’s Shop, thus beginning a career he came to love. At the age of 22, he became his father’s partner, continuing three generations of men’s stores begun by his grandfather, Solomon Levy, in 1902.

Stuart served one year as state representative of the Retail Merchants Association of Suffolk. In the 1960s, he served three consecutive years as chairman of the Suffolk Christmas parade, growing the number of marching units to more than 80, the largest it had been. He was a former member of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army in Suffolk, serving as chairman for two years.

He received the Suffolk Jaycees Distinguished Service Award designating him as Suffolk’s “outstanding young man of 1968.”

The store was sold in 1978. Stuart then began a second career: 34 years as a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser (including six years in the Assessor’s Office of the City of Suffolk). He was the 111th appraiser to be licensed in the state of Virginia. This career, which he also loved, continued until recent months.

In 1979, he and Alice were united in marriage. Their happy union ended with her death in 1998 after a 7-year battle with cancer.

Stuart was a member of Agudath Achim Synagogue of Suffolk until its closing. His membership was then transferred to Beth El Synagogue of Norfolk.

Stuart accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, becoming what he called a “completed Jew,” and in 1998 became a member of First Baptist Church Suffolk. He delighted in being a guest speaker at numerous churches, Sunday School classes, youth groups and other organizations, where he could share knowledge of his Jewish heritage, of which he had never been more proud.

Stuart was a member of the Legacy Society for Hampton Roads. He was a Mason of Suffolk Lodge No. 30, 32nd Degree Mason, member of Portsmouth Scottish Rite, member of Khedive Shriners, and an Elk, Suffolk Lodge No. 685.

He is survived by a sister-in-law, Frances Levy Birshstein, of Norfolk; nephews, Jeffrey Levy and wife, Anne, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Michael Levy and wife, Gina, of Norfolk, Stephen Levy, of Portland, Ore., Douglas Levy and wife, Dara, of Arlington; niece, Susan Levy Brown and husband, Jon, of Los Angeles, Calif.; and eight great-nieces and -nephews. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Lawrence Riddick and wife, Peggy, of Hobbsville, N.C., and Clarence Riddick and wife, Anita, of Whaleyville.

Left to cherish his memory are his sweetheart of many years, Cindy Hobbs Baker, close friend Frances Ellis Richards, and the many people whose lives he touched with his kindness and generosity.

A celebration of Stuart’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, at First Baptist Suffolk, 237 N. Main St., Suffolk, with Dr. Thurman Hayes Jr. and the Rev. Charles Thompson officiating. There will be a reception at the church following the service. Burial will be at Holly Lawn Cemetery. R.W. Baker Funeral Home & Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, is handling arrangements.

Appreciation is expressed to the caregivers of Seniorcorp Inc., for the care given in the last few weeks, especially to Miss Tiffany Dunn and Mr. Joshua Haynes.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Suffolk Building Fund, 237 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434.