Royal greetings for centenarian
Milestone marked by message from queen
WHEN a courier arrived with a parcel at Denzil Levy’s flat recently he was pleasantly surprised to find it contained a birthday card from Queen Elizabeth, congratulating him on his 100th birthday.
“I was delighted as I thought I would just get a telegram, but when I got this photograph with the message from the queen, it was exhilarating,” he said.
He confessed he had been expecting the letter.
“I wrote to Her Majesty and sent her a photograph of my late father entertaining King George VI and his wife and the present queen and Princess Margaret . . . and to say I was turning 100,” he said.
Levy’s father was chairman of the board of trustees of the Port Elizabeth Museum and Snake Park (now Bayworld) and the photograph was taken in the Snake Park.
He told the queen he was once president of the board of trustees of the King George VI Art Gallery (now the Nelson Mandela Art Gallery).
Levy, a well known personality in Port Elizabeth who is very active and still sits on a number of boards, said he was feeling fine and thought he was doing very well considering his century.
“I really can’t complain, I’m in very good health,” he said.
“I’ve still got all my faculties which is very important.
“I’m a little bit hard of hearing but I’ve got hearing aids. I resigned from a few [boards] because of my hearing disability.”
Asked what contributed to his longevity, Levy replied: “Faith in the Almighty – and I’ve got colossal faith – eat moderately, drink moderately, exercise your body and your mind.”
Up until four years ago when he had two major operations, Levy used to walk around Park Drive every day, doing the 2.2km walk in 19 minutes.
“Most people take half an hour,” he chuckled.
“My late wife used to say I would run, and I would say ‘no, I have long legs’.”
This afternoon, Levy will be the guest of honour at a special high tea sponsored by the Port Elizabeth Hebrew Congregation.
Apart from his two daughters, Marilyn and Fanelle, who have flown out from London, 18 other family members will be among the 200 people expected.
Of the future, he said: “I always pray to the Almighty that he will spare me so I can attend the bar mitzvah of my great-grandson in November next year.”