Paul R. Levy

Attorney Paul R. Levy, 70, the former Battle Creek City Attorney, died at Bronson at Home Hospice Residence on Friday, January 2, 2015.

Paul was born January 26, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois to Hyman and Christene (Patchet) Levy. As a teenager, Paul moved with his family to Otsego, Michigan where he was a 1961 graduate of Otsego High School. After marrying Martha Ellen McConney on August 14, 1965, he received a Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University in 1966. Paul taught briefly in the Bellevue and Marshall School Districts before returning to school to study law. He earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1972. That same year, Paul and Martha welcomed a baby girl, Elizabeth.

Paul worked in the Vandervort, McFee, Carpenter, and Christ Law Firm after graduation from law school before starting his own private practice. In 1974, Paul and Martha welcomed a second baby girl, Rebecca. Upon closing his private practice, Paul became the first full time City Attorney for the City of Battle Creek, retiring in 2000, after 17 years. One of his favorite quotes while practicing law was: "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine."

During his time as an attorney, Paul was an active member of the Calhoun County Bar Association, Michigan Bar Association and American Bar Association. As a member of the Michigan Bar Association, Paul chaired the Corporation Law Section and helped write legislation on Civil Infractions. He was also active in issues relating to Domestic Violence.

In his spare time, he made kayaks, wood strip canoes, and paddles. He enjoyed the outdoors, canoeing, camping, skeet shooting, reading, woodworking, cooking and photography. He loved mastering new skills.

Paul is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marti; two daughters, Elizabeth (Allen Gurney) Levy of Portland, OR, Rebecca (Peter) Beronja of Richland, MI; two grandchildren, Samuel and Riley Beronja; a brother, Richard Levy of Otsego, MI; and his beloved hunting dog Quigley Smudge.

Paul's family will receive friends at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2015. Interment will be held at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego, MI at a later date.

Memorial contributions in memory of Paul may be made to Calhoun County Trail Alliance through the Battle Creek Community Foundation, 34 W. Jackson St., Suite 1, Battle Creek, MI 49017-9984. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.