Joseph C Levinsky

Joseph (“DaddyJoe”) C. Levinsky passed away, at the age of 95, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at his home in Southlake, Texas, surrounded by the family that he loved. He will always be remembered as a loving husband and a devoted father to all that knew and loved him. He was also an amazing carpenter and furniture builder, and his creations were a work of art and a demonstration of his love and could be found throughout his family’s homes. Joe was born on June 29, 1930, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Nicholas Levinsky and Rose Yavorsky.

Joe met the love of his life, Antonina (Nina) Cancilla, when his friend, Bill Bednar, introduced them since they were going to be partners in his upcoming wedding. Joe then proceeded to ask Nina to marry him on their first date and continuously, thereafter, until she said “yes”. They were married on June 16, 1956, having three daughters together, and were married for 64 years and together for 65 years until his wife’s passing in July of 2020. Their love grew with each passing year, and they cherished every moment together. A day never went by without each of them telling the other how very much they were loved, and they always wrote little love notes to each other, which could be found throughout their home. They never called each other by their given name but rather called each other “Honey”, a term of endearment that they started calling each other before they were married. They had a beautiful marriage that many said they aspired to achieve in their own marriage.

Joe came from a very patriotic family. He was proud that he and his brothers had all served in the miliary-three in the Marines, one in the Army and one in the Navy. Three of his brothers served in World War II, two of his brothers as well as himself served in the Korean War. Following in his brothers’ footsteps, Joe joined the Marines at 17 years old with his best friend also named Joe. He served with the First Marine Division in Korea, made the landing at Inchon, and survived the Chosen Reservoir, a battle that is still a topic of study for both current and future Marines, serving as a historical moment in Marine Corps history. As Joe always said, “Once a Marine, Always a Marine”.

Joe’s unwavering devotion to his wife and daughters—his beloved “three girls,” as he affectionately called them—was the cornerstone of his life. They were his world. His oldest daughter nicknamed him “DaddyJoe,” and all who knew and loved him began using this nickname as a sign of affection. A highly respected construction engineer in the nuclear and fossil fuel industries, Joe also spent countless evenings and weekends building and remodeling homes to ensure his family’s comfort and security.

His love was etched into every beam he raised, every nail he drove, and every hour he sacrificed. The homes he built carried more than craftsmanship. They held the quiet strength of a man who gave his all to his family. His devotion was measured not only by what he provided, but by what he willingly sacrificed. Throughout his life, Joe remained a pillar of strength and love in the lives of those he cherished most.

He was a member of The Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree, and proud to serve as an usher at Holy Family Catholic Church in Abilene, Texas.

Joe is survived by his two remaining daughters, Rosemaria Levinsky, of Southlake, Texas, and Ninamarie Levinsky, of Bloomington, Illinois; his sons-in-law, Dennis R. Krug, D.D. S. (former spouse of Sherrie Ann Krug) of Bloomington, Illinois, and Jeffrey A. Depew (spouse of Rosemaria Levinsky), of Southlake, Texas. He is also survived by his wife’s golden retriever and service dog, Fantasia, and the golden retriever “siblings” he insisted on getting for Fantasia, who wanted to remain an only child, after his wife’s passing-Nina, he named after his beloved wife, and Daisy Mae.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Rose Levinsky, his brothers, Nick Levinsky, Chuck Levinsky, Tony Levinsky, Victor Levinsky and Frank (Bing) Levinsky, his half-sisters, Mary Nanosky and Annie Nanosky, and his half-brothers, Mike Nanosky and Jay Nanosky, from his mother’s first marriage to Mike Nanosky, and his beloved oldest daughter, Sherrie Ann Krug, and the love of his life, his wife, Antonina (Nina) Levinsky.