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Gary Levy
04/03/1946 - 02/08/2018
Gary Levy
04/03/1946 - 02/08/2018
Obituary
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BORN
04/03/1946
DIED
02/08/2018
Gary Levy Obituary
Gary was born in Saskatoon, he attended Aden Bowman Collegiate where he played football with the Golden Bears. After graduating he went on to study at the University of Saskatchewan and he played several seasons with the Saskatoon Hilltops, of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Junior Football League. He continued on to complete a Masters in Canadian Studies at Carleton University, and then a Ph.d in Political Science at the Universite Laval in Quebec City.
Gary began his career at the Research Branch Parliamentary Library in Ottawa and while there took on the editorship of the Canadian Parliamentary Review which he grew from a simple newsletter into a polished publication for all Canadian parliamentarians. He also served as a clerk to Senate of Canada committees and enjoyed teaching summer sessions at UBC and other Canadian universities. After retiring from his role of editor he served as the Bell Fellow at Carleton University and became very active the Canada-China Friendship Society. His interest in all things Chinese led to two teaching assignments at Chinese Universities. He enjoyed many sports and was an avid cross country skier and cyclist.
Gary is survived by his brother Daniel Levy of Carlsbad, CA, stepson Alex Chinkarenko of Toronto and niece and nephew, Brenda and Jason Levy of Carlsbad. He was predeceased by his parents, Rose and Bernie Levy of Vancouver.
Cremation will be handled by Ottawa Cremation Services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Canadian Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.ca/en/donate/. A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
25 Entries
James Bowden
October 9, 2018
I didn't know Gary as well as some of the others who've written here, but he and I kept in touch now and again over the last seven years. I remain ever grateful to Gary for giving me a chance and published in the Canadian Parliamentary Review my first article. May his legacy live on in that journal.
May 1, 2018
During his undergraduate years at the University of Saskatchewan, Gary was a student in a couple of my classes. I found it hard to square the circle: a quiet, studious young man who at the same time played junior football with the legendary Saskatoon Hilltops. He did both with a quiet élan. We have in the intervening years had countless chances to keep in touch. His last email to me, about some minuscule matter of compensation for MPs from northern/isolated ridings, has been sitting in printed form for some time on my desk. I must put it to use, in Gary's memory. He was a dedicated student of Parliament, and one we will long remember.
John Courtney
February 26, 2018
I have known Gary since the early 1980's. Over the years we became good friends but his departure from the Canadian Parliamentary Review resulted in us losing contact with each other. Only recently did I learn of his most recent employment but like many others, I learned of his ill health only after he died. I always viewed Gary as quietly brilliant in all matters parliamentary. He pushed for the Canadian Parliamentary Review to expand its content beyond its traditional focus which it now does. Gary attended most if not all parliamentary conferences in Canada sometimes at his own expense compiling articles for the Review incorporating interviews with presenters. Along with Anna, the two of them were the entire face of the Review.
Gary's humour was infectious but his laugh even more so. His contributions to parliamentary life were and continue to be legendary.
My most sincere condolences to those who comprise his immediate family.
Craig James
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Janice Zaharko
February 23, 2018
My profound condolences to Gary's family. There are no words to express my sorrow at his passing. He was this gentle giant. Quiet and deep. I had the utmost respect for his intelligence and thoughtfulness on a far range of issues...all wrapped in kindness, compassion and humility. He put others first. I will always remember your courage. Janice Zaharko
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February 16, 2018
I was, like my parliamentary colleagues, shocked to hear of Gary's sudden passing. His lifelong commitment to Parliament and excellence in research were inspiring to all of us. What struck my most about Gary, though, was his genuine interest in those around him. He had an unusually kind way about him: at least, it seemed unusual in this environment. He quietly made a real difference in our lives and in the work of the institutions he supported. He will be missed.
Kristen Douglas
Lynda Cox
February 14, 2018
Gone too soon......His neighbours at 222 Bruyere will miss his kind and quiet ways.
Bill Cross
February 14, 2018
This is sad news. I first met Gary when I took a graduate course in Canadian politics from him at Western and served as his TA for an American politics course. We met often after that through the Canadian Study of Parliament Group and I was very pleased to host Gary in the Bell Chair at Carleton in recent years. He was a kind and gentle man who knew a great deal about Canadian parliamentary politics and contributed much.
Graham White
February 14, 2018
I'm deeply saddened by the loss of Gary Levy. We first met at what turned out to be the founding meeting of the Canadian Study of Parliament Group in Toronto sometime in the 70s. I quickly came to appreciate his understated sense of humour and his encyclopaedic knowledge of Parliament. Some years later we co-organized a conference and produced a book about provincial and territorial legislatures. His diverse interests and wide-ranging store of knowledge never ceased to amaze me. In the parliamentary world, few if any could match his contributions, as both practitioner and analyst. He'll be missed.
Paul Thomas
February 14, 2018
I'm so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. We shared an office together at Carleton while he was a Fellow with the Bell Chair. I was continually astounded by the depth and breadth of his knowledge and his passion to keep learning. He was also always ready to help. My deepest condolences to his family.
Michel Patrice
February 13, 2018
Gary, my good friend, and I have been colleague in Parliament, golf buddies and debaters on a range of subject. I regret the loss and wish to express my condolences to his family and friends, especially Alex whom he spoke about with pride.
Roxanne Hamel
February 13, 2018
My deepest condoleances to the family. Gary was a great man, down-to-earth, bright and wise. I am proud to have worked along his side with the Canada-China Friendship Society of Ottawa. He will be missed.
Amelia Choi
February 12, 2018
I'm still in shock and is deeply saddened by the passing of Gary. Gary is a quiet, knowledgeable and dedicated president at the Canada China Friendship Society. He will be missed by all of us... My deepest sympathy to Gary's family on the great loss... My prayers and thoughts are with you all..
Mike Graham
February 12, 2018
Gary incarnait plus que toute autre personne que j'ai connue un mode de vie esprit sain dans un corps sain. Je me rappelle tant de nos randonnées en canoë sur la rivière Rideau que nos discussions sur le parlement canadien. Gary maitrisait l'art de convaincre, un grand atout lorsqu'il venait le temps de nous sensibiliser de l'importance de contribuer à SA Revue parlementaire canadienne. Gary était un homme droit, raisonné, doté d'une intégrité remarquable. Et secrètement je dois avouer que j'ai toujours été un peu jaloux du fait que les hivers de la Saskatchewan l'avaient tellement endurci que Gary pouvait faire du ski de fond sans gants à moins 25 C!
Satnam Vaid
February 12, 2018
Sorry to hear of Gary's passing. My sincere condolences to the family on the loss of Gary. He was my valued teacher and friend.
Trina Costantini-Powell
February 11, 2018
Gary was always such an intelligent font of wisdom. A very quiet person- a true professional. My deepest condolences to his family.
Hugh Finsten
February 11, 2018
When I arrived in Ottawa to work at the Library of Parliament in 1971, Gary was one of 3 other researchers with whom I shared a single office. At such close quarters, and both single, we became friends. I was always impressed with Gary's intelligence, his independence, his unique approach to whatever he did and his adventurous nature (except flying headlong downhill on cross country skis directly towards a bunch of trees). I kept in touch with Gary over the years, hearing about the interesting opportunities he had taken up including a stint in New York as a Donner Foundation fellow, the Carleton fellowships and his travels to China on his own (I took a tour) which developed into several teaching opportunities and Co- President of the Canada China Friendship Association. In the late nineties, Gary returned to the Library to run our seminar program. I will always cherish my memories of Gary and our times together. It was a shock to hear about his passing. My condolences to his brother, Daniel, and step son, Alex, who Gary loved and often talked about, and to the rest of his family. I will miss Gary. Hugh Finsten
Anna LaBallister
February 11, 2018
My sincerest condolences to the family on the loss of Gary. He was a valued colleague and friend.
Michael Dewing
February 11, 2018
Gary was a true gentleman and a font of knowledge and wisdom. He will be missed. My condolences to the family.
Sonia L'Heureux
February 10, 2018
It was a pleasure to work with Gary. Sorry to hear of his passing. The Library of Parliament lost a friend.
Lorraine Farkas
February 10, 2018
I am shocked and greatly saddened by the passing of Gary. My deepest sympathy to Gary's family.
I met Gary when he joined the Canada-China Friendship Society of Ottawa (CCFSO) about 8 years ago. Soon afterwards, he accepted the opportunity to attend an international conference in Beijing. Since then he became interested in learning more about China. He became co-president of the CCFSO from 2013-17. During that time, he went to China twice to teach Chinese university students in Guangzhou and Xian about Canada's political system. It was a great pleasure to work with Gary. He was pleasant, straight forward and a hard worker. I miss Gary also as a friend. He was great to discuss with and fun to be with.
Gary O'Brien
February 10, 2018
So very sad to hear of Gary's passing. A wonderful colleague and a true professional who added so much to parliament and especially Senate committees. A backbone to the Pearson Committee and many others. A fabulous career.
Paul Benoit
February 10, 2018
The Parliament of Canada has lost a close, longtime friend.
So long, old buddy...
Gerald Schmitz
February 10, 2018
It is with great sadness that I learned of this. Gary was much respected when I joined the Library of Parliament research branch in 1981 and I knew him as a congenial and dedicated colleague, a true gentleman. My deepest condolences to his family.
February 10, 2018
Gary and I were colleagues at the Library of Parliament for a number of years. He was a quiet, respectful co-worker who radiated calm confidence. He will be missed.
Philip Rosen
Carol Chafe
February 10, 2018
So very sorry to hear of Gary's passing. We worked together for many years with The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. He was always very helpful, knowledgeable and a good colleague. He will be sadly missed by many. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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