Alan Levy, Broward County ‘hero’ and champion for at-risk youth, dies at 80

Some described him as a hero in Broward County. He was a pillar for South Florida, where he lived for more than 70 years, and was a champion for equality, children and education.

Alan Levy, the founder, president and CEO of Great American Farms, a Pompano Beach-based agricultural marketing firm, died Wednesday at age 80.

HANDY, a nonprofit organization that serves at-risk youth in South Florida, posted about his death on their website. Levy was on many boards and was an ardent supporter of the organization, according to the post.

Among Levy’s main titles: chairman of the Broward School Readiness Coalition; a founding member of the Performing Arts Center Authority; and former chairman and active member of the Broward Workshop. He spearheaded efforts to save the Pompano Beach Farmers Market.

Community leaders shared heartfelt condolences to Levy’s family, as well as heartwarming anecdotes.

“We lost another community hero this week,” wrote Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, president and CEO at the Community Foundation of Broward. “Alan Levy was a passionate advocate for education and children. He gave so much through his time, talent and treasures to make Broward County better and to inspire each of us to do more.”

Levy believed in Broward’s nonprofits, and challenged everyone to care for the most vulnerable children, she said. “He leaves a tremendous legacy that will be impossible to fill. I will miss his sense of humor, smile and warmth.”

Kathleen Cannon, president of United Way of Broward County, said Levy’s passing leaves her and the community saddened beyond words.

“Not only was he a generous and kind soul, but he also was highly skilled at bringing together leaders from both business and human services organizations for the betterment of all,” she wrote. “He understood that serving the most vulnerable is the responsibility not just of nonprofits but also of business leaders. His tireless hands-on involvement and countless contributions to so many nonprofits will be his legacy.”

“His dedication and passion for nonprofit organizations was unmatched," said the post on HANDY’s website. “He regularly showed his generosity, compassion and kindness and was a champion for our community. He would walk into any room and challenge the participants to think always of those in need, those that carry the burden of poverty but filled with promise.”

Levy often said he wanted to strengthen the educational system from early childhood all the way through the universities, according to HANDY.

Kirk Brown, HANDY’s CEO, said: “He advocated with love, inclusion and compassion for the ‘little’ guy. He portrayed Broward County as the beacon on the hill, the place where earning, living and loving was possible. He was a mentor to many and a leader to all.”

Levy is survived by his wife Marsha, and children Eric Levy and Hope Evans, the post says.

In lieu of food or flowers, the family requests donations to HANDY in memory of Alan Levy.

Brooke Baitinger can be reached at: bbaitinger@sunsentinel.com, 954-422-0857 or Twitter: @bybbaitinger

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