Obituary of Richard Leavitt

CHESHIRE - Richard Charles Leavitt, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday May 12, 2012 at Elim Park Place. Born May 14, 1925 in Lynn MA, Dick was a son of the late Frederick J. Leavitt and Agnes C. Mackey Leavitt and orphaned early in life. In his boyhood home of Nahant, MA, Dick forged many lifelong friendships and meet his beloved wife of 50 years, Mary Bradley Leavitt. Dick attended Lynn Classical High School, served as a pilot in the Army Air Force, and then attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His work as a mechanical engineer brought his growing family from Aruba to Cheshire in 1963. Dick retired from Cytec Industries after 25 years of service. Dick overcame many obstacles and dedicated his life to helping family and friends. He supported the work of the Mental Health Association of Connecticut, an agency dedicated to helping mentally ill adults live healthy and productive lives. Dick's perseverance, compassion, and loyalty serve as a lasting example to his children and grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Bradley Leavitt, his son, Richard C. Leavitt Jr, three brothers, Miles, Thomas, and Jack Leavitt, and one sister, Mary Leavitt Sullivan. Dick is survived by sister Betty Guiney and her husband William of Boca Raton, FL, daughter, Carol Johnstone and her husband Michael, of Charlotte, NC, son, Robert Leavitt, of New Haven, CT, grandson, Peter Alstone and his wife Andrea and great grandson Salvador, of Arcata, CA and granddaughter Marguerite Lowe and her husband David of Charlottesville, VA. The family would like to thank the staff of Elim Park Place- Residential Care Home, Franciscan Home Care, and his medical care providers for their service and compassionate support. Arrangements - Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 10:00 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Nahant, MA with a graveside service to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Nahant. A memorial service will be held at Elim Park Health Care, 140 Cook Hill Road, Cheshire, CT on Monday June 4, 2012 at 3:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mental Health Association of Connecticut, Richard Leavitt Memorial Fund, 969 W Main St # 3A, Waterbury, CT 06708. The Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with arrangements.