David Bernard Leavitt, 90, formerly of Fitchburg, MA, died peacefully in his home in Arlington, VA, on Thursday, Sept 29th, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 25, 1926, he was the son of the late Michael Joseph and Margaret (Nestor) Leavitt of Fitchburg, MA. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Kathleen Anne Leavitt and husband Dr. Johan Suyderhoud of Kansas City, MO, his daughter, Maureen (Leavitt) Mullins and husband Tom Mullins of Andover, MA, his son Paul D. Leavitt of Reston, VA, and his son Michael J. Leavitt and Martina Driscoll of Arlington, VA; five grandchildren: Peter and Kase Suyderhoud of Arlington VA, and Maggie, Mary Jane, and Colleen Mullins of Andover, MA; his sister, Barbara J. Leavitt of Leominster, MA, and his sister in law, Shirley (Sally) Leavitt of Oakridge, NJ; many nieces and nephews, and extended family members. He is predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Anne (Pyne) Leavitt, his sister Mary (Leavitt) O’Brien and her husband Dave O’Brien, his sister Rita (Leavitt) Porter and her husband Joe Porter, and his brother, Philip M. Leavitt.
Dave was a graduate of St. Bernard’s High School in Fitchburg, where he served as president of the class of 1943. Shortly after graduating from high school, Dave joined the U.S. Navy and served as the radio operator on the USS Rocky Mount, which was the flag ship of many expeditions in the South Pacific during WWll. After serving for three years, Dave returned home to Fitchburg and earned an Accounting degree from Bentley College, and a BBA in Industrial Management from Northeastern University in Boston. Dave joined General Electric in Fitchburg, MA in 1948 and relocated several times with his family to Lynchburg, VA, Schenectady and Utica, NY, and West Chester, PA. Throughout his career at General Electric, he received many recognition awards for his contributions to the company, and held leadership positions in many, varied professional and community organizations. Dave retired from GE in 1991 after 42 years of dedicated service, and remained in West Chester, PA with his wife Anne for many years. Dave continued to be active in his retirement and served as chapter president for the local Meals on Wheels organization, and as an Associate at the Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, Pa. He also enjoyed gardening, playing tennis, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and travelling. He often returned “home” to New England to visit his sister Barbara and family, take in a trip to the beach, and enjoy some of his favorite seafood.
In recent years, Dave was a resident of the Sunrise at Bluemont Park in Arlington, Va, where he was surrounded and supported by a community of devoted caregivers, for whom his family will be forever grateful. Dave will be interred with his wife Anne at the family grave site at St Bernard’s Cemetery in Fitchburg, Ma. Dave was a true gentleman, who will always be remembered for his kindness, his steadfast faith, his optimistic and patient demeanor, and his “Irish” sense of humor.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, October 4th from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA. There will be a funeral mass at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA on October 22 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Daylesford Abbey, 220 S. Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301, or online at Daylesford.org.
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