NATICK: Raymond J. Leavitt, age 90, a longtime Natick resident, died peaceful Monday morning, December 17, 2012, at his home. He was the devoted husband of the late Mildred (Stuart) Leavitt for 55 years.
Born, raised and educated in Boston, Ray was a son of the late Ovide and Louise (Schaff) Leavitt. After graduation from Brighton High School, he joined the US Nay and served through much of World War II with the Navy CB’s (Naval Construction Battalion) in the Pacifica and Atlantic Theatres. A machinist’s mate, he particularly recalled the daunting difficulties faced while working in New Guinea and on the Admiralty Islands.
Ray was employed as a machinist at the Boston Naval Shipyard for 32 years. Married in 1948, he and Mildred had lived many years in Wellesley prior to settling in Natick in 1969. After his retirement, Ray dedicated a number of years to serving the children of Natick as a school bus driver. He and Mildred were active at the Natick Senior Center for 15 years, volunteering in the kitchen and coordinating the pool league. Athletic in his younger years, Ray enjoyed tennis hunting and ping-pong. Later in life he happily confined himself to playing pool and chair volleyball, fishing, and working crosswords and reading. He enjoyed his family, home, and the many enduring friendships fostered over time.
He is survived by two daughters, Linda Tighe and her husband John, and Joyce Morganelli and her husband Dave; four grandchildren, Scott Tighe and his wife Jyllian, April Garvin and her husband Mark, and Nick and Ryan Morganelli; and three great-grandchildren, Haley Garvin, and Dylan and Brody Tighe. He was predeceased by a brother, Edwin Leavitt, and a sister, Alyce Cunningham.
His funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, Natick, on Thursday, Dec. 20th at 9:00a.m with a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, at 10:00a.m. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be on Wednesday 4 – 8p.m. In lieu of flowers, donation in Ray’s memory to the Natick Council on Aging, 117 E. Central St, Natick, MA 01760 or MetroWest HomeCare and Hospice, 85 Union St., Framingham, MA 01701 would be appreciated.