Family members, hospital staff, and administrators gathered last Thursday at Montefiore Nyack Hospital to honor the late Chef Levi Burnett, whose remarkable 63-year career made him the longest-tenured employee in the hospital’s history.
Burnett, who passed away on May 31, 2024, was recognized with a commemorative plaque celebrating his decades of dedication. Known for his signature chef’s hat, mouth-watering fried chicken, and warm personality, Burnett left a lasting impact not only on the hospital, but on the community as a whole.
A man deeply rooted in family, Burnett was one of 12 siblings and carried his family-focused values into both his home and workplace. More than 25 relatives traveled from states including North Carolina and Virginia to attend the ceremony.
Burnett made history as the hospital’s first chef, helping to build its food service program from the ground up. Over the years, colleagues stated that he became a constant presence in the kitchen and culture of the hospital. “He ran circles around people in the kitchen,” said Helen Hayes-Perkins, who worked alongside Burnett for years. “If you really knew Levi, you never got the last word in.” She recalled the countless holidays and card game nights they spent together.
But Burnett’s role extended far past cooking. According to Paul Adler, board chair of the Montefiore Nyack Hospital Foundation, his presence could be felt throughout the building. “His spirit, his very essence, lives on in this place,” Adler said. “He would walk around making sure people liked what they were being served at a time when they were at their greatest discomfort. You couldn’t be part of this hospital without knowing Levi.”
For his wife, Jackie Burnett, his dedication to the job was unmatched. “It didn’t matter if we were on vacation, he was back at work first thing the next day,” she said. “He was a good family man. I miss him.”
Burnett’s legacy also carries broader significance. Dr. Frances Pratt, a retired nurse who spent 53 years at the hospital, said Burnett helped pave the way for her as one of the first Black employees. “We bonded over our Southern roots,” she said, recalling his kindness and generosity. “He opened doors for the black community.”
Community leader Willie Trottman, President of the NAACP Spring Valley chapter, remembered Burnett as a man of humility and character. “I’ve never heard him curse,” Trottman said. “He was always just a regular guy, no matter who he was with. Someone you were proud to know.”
Hospital President and CEO Mark Geller shared a story that captured Burnett’s compassion. When a patient nearing the end of her life requested fried chicken despite dietary restrictions, Burnett came in on his day off to prepare the meal himself. He personally delivered it and sat with her as she ate. “That was Levi,” Geller said. “He went above and beyond for everyone, patients and staff alike.”
For his family, his impact was just as profound. “I wouldn’t be who I am today without him,” said his grandson, Jarrett Burnett.
His granddaughter Ashley added, “He always gave me advice. When nursing school got hard, he encouraged me to keep going. I talked to him all the time, I really miss him.”
As the hospital reflects on Burnett’s legacy, Geller noted that such long-term dedication has become increasingly rare. “Back then, it was more like a family,” he said. “Those bonds aren’t as strong today. People move from place to place, it’s harder to build something like that now.”
Still, for those who knew him, Burnett’s legacy endures, in the kitchen, in the hospital halls, and in the lives he touched over more than six decades of service.
Chef Levi Burnett: Six Decades of Good Food and Good Times added by Gillian DeStefano on
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