Austin T. Levy was born in New York City on December 16, 1880. His father died when he was four, his mother when he was eleven. He then lived with his aunt and sister.

He was graduated from Grammar School 69, and attended City College of New York for one year. His first job, at age 16, was that of office boy at a linen importing company. That was his introduction to the textile business. He later became a wool commission agent, and at age 29 he leased a mill in Greenville, R.I., which he named the Stillwater Worsted Mills. In three years he needed a larger complex, so he leased another mill in Burrillville, R.I. Nine years later he bought the mill.

Because of his humble beginnings, he always had great respect for his employees. As an owner he devised new pay scales, modified lighting and machine spacing and made other workplace improvements. In 1916 he hired a full time industrial nurse, one of the first in Rhode Island.

Mr. Levy was one of the first business owners to offer his employees profit sharing. He was also one of the first to offer paid vacations—four weeks pay for two weeks vacation. "When you are on vacation you need more money," he said.

It was around this time that he met June Rockwell. They became dear friends who shared their love for music and the arts. The courtship was long. He proposed nine years later.

In 1918 he had 22 seven-room houses built for his employees. Rents were based on one's ability to pay, not on the cost of construction. In 1924 he inaugurated a voluntary stock option plan. Many took part in the program. His mills were so well run, and their output of such high quality, that he was able to keep the mills running 48 weeks a year, even during the Great Depression.

In 1933, when the Depression was at its worst, the Burrillville Town Buildings Project was undertaken. These buildings were gifts from June and Austin Levy to the Town of Burrillville. The buildings consisted of the Burrillville Town Hall, the Assembly (a charming, completely modern performing arts center), the Ninth District Court of the State of Rhode Island, the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library, the First Universalist Church, the American Legion Hall and the Burrillville High School. The Bridgeway in the village of Pascoag was also a gift to the town. Later, in the 1950's, they built and donated the Harrisville and Pascoag Post Offices to the United States government. It was an act that required special congressional legislation.

To help maintain the properties they set up a $50,000 endowment. One of their most appreciated gifts to the town was a modern ice hockey rink, Burrillville High hockey teams being among the best in the state.

Mr. Levy was a prolific writer and lecturer on economic subjects, largely dealing with industrial relations and wages. He wrote and published numerous pamphlets. He believed strongly that the country would prosper if fair wages were paid accompanied by shorter hours. In June 1937 he was invited to testify at United States Senate hearings.

Mr. Levy was a gentle and kind man who loved his fellow citizens. He died on November 14, 1951, at the age of 70. A genuinely humble man, no industrial buildings he erected, nor handsome edifice he and his wife gave for public use, bore the Levy name during their lifetimes. They felt that service was its own reward.