ORONO – The love of my life, Laurence Gilmore Leavitt, 86, has left me Feb. 10, 2007. He was born Jan. 20, 1921, son of Harold Walter and Elvira (Gilmore) Leavitt. Larry married Mary Alexis (Cowin) May 25, 1942. He graduated University of Maine – Orono in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in chemical engineering in 1947. Three important occurrences happened on the same day, he graduated the University of Maine – Orono, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant and he got married. He served in World War II from 1942 to 1946 in the 94th Chemical Mortar Battalion. Larry was involved in many organizations. He was involved in Boy Scouts for 71 years and received the Silver Beaver Award. He earned his Eagle Scout in Troop 47 and was Scout Master of Troop 48. He belonged to the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus, Orono. He volunteered his time with many groups as well. He volunteered at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, Eastern Maine Medical Center Heart to Heart program, Meals for Me, ushered at the Maine Center of the Arts, University of Maine – Orono, was the president of the Penobscot County Chapter for the Muscular Dystophy Association, was a lector and a Eucharistic minister at St. Mary’s Parish, Orono. Larry loved outdoor activities. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, climbing Mt. Katahdin and cross country skiing. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and cherished every moment he spent with his family. He will be surely missed by all who loved him. Larry was predeceased by a son, Laurence Gilmore Jr. He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Mary; three sons and their wives, James Loren and Dawna Marie Leavitt of Winthrop, Walter Joseph and Catherine Anne Leavitt of Old Town, Larry Timothy and Tammie Sue Leavitt of Winthrop; one sister, Lois Pelletier of Newbury, Vt.; five grandchildren, Heather Ann and hus-band, Yash Soni, of Wilmanton, Mass., Holly Marie and husband, Joseph Studholme, of China, Paul Allen Leavitt of Old Town and Jacob Andrew and Kevin Michael Leavitt of Winthrop. Thank you for a wonderful life together – Mary. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Orono, with the Rev. Bill Labbe, celebrant. Interment will be in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Orono. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart to Heart Program, care of Eastern Maine Medical Center Charities, P.O. Box 404, Bangor, ME 04402. A service of Memorial Alternatives, Bangor.
LAURENCE GILMORE LEAVITT
