Lawrence W. McDavitt

Lawrence W. McDavitt age 93 passed away in Norwood Hospital in Norwood, Massachusetts on October 7, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Walpole on June 15, 1926, he was the son of the late Daniel and Loretta (Glazebrook) McDavitt.  As a young man Lawrence attended Walpole schools, and then in 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served on the USS Joseph Warren Liberty Ship during World Word II.  His tour of duty brought him to the Mediterranean where he spent several years.  He received an honorary discharge from the service in August of 1947.  Upon his return home, he met Eleanor Pothier through family and friends who had moved from Nova Scotia to the Walpole area to pursue career opportunities.  Soon they were inseparable, and in May of 1950 Lawrence married the love of his life.  They settled in Walpole and raised 6 wonderful children.

 

Early on Lawrence was employed as a bus driver that provided service into Boston.  In the 1950’s he began his career at the Foxboro Company.  During this time he continued his education by securing a GED and then completed welding courses at Wentworth Institute in Boston.  In turn, he was a lead welder for the Foxboro Company where he retired in 1983.  Within a year of retirement, Lawrence began driving a school bus for Michael J. Connelly serving the Walpole school system for the next 20 years.  He truly enjoyed driving a bus once again, and shared so many stories about the children who in turn always had a homemade gift for Lawrence at Christmas.

 

From an early age, Lawrence was an avid golfer who enjoyed golfing with his sons, brother and close friends.  He looked forward to and participated in the father and son golf outing held each year in June, and the family has wonderful memories from these events.  He was a member of the Foxboro Company golf league as well as a club member at the Yarmouth Country Club in Yarmouth Nova Scotia.

 

Once retired, Lawrence and Eleanor purchased a mobile home and spent each summer in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia with Eleanor’s family.  During this same time they were also part of the “99ers” group and they gathered weekly to enjoy card games and each other’s company.  The 99ers took many trips together to include Florida, Las Vegas, and Jamaica and have wonderful memories of these trips.

 

Family was very important to Lawrence.  He loved all of the family celebrations to include Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter gatherings at his home in Walpole.  He would help in preparing the meals and would entertain everyone with his singing and stories. 

 

Throughout his life Lawrence was a devout Catholic and attended church regularly.  His faith was very important to him.

 

Beloved husband of the late M. Eleanor McDavitt of Walpole.  Loving father of Lawrence W. McDavitt Jr. and his wife Deborah of Onset, Edward D. McDavitt and his wife Wendy of No. Attleboro, Carl J. McDavitt of Woburn, Dennis A. McDavitt and the late Kathleen McDavitt of Narragansett, RI, Catherine A. Beckman of Foxboro, Ken P. McDavitt and his wife Colleen Barrett of No. Attleboro.  Cherished grandfather of Scott, Ryan, Erin, Jeremy, Jessica, Alex, Andie, Megan, Maura, Michaela, Kelley, Christopher, Matthew and Nathan and great grandfather of Nina, Adrian, Isaac, Avery, Dan, Calem, Olivia, Harper, Sydney, Nolan, Emma, and Halley.

Brother-in-law of Dorothy McDavitt of Walpole, the late Francis McDavitt of Walpole, the late Joseph (Albert) McDavitt of Foxboro, the late Agnus Sullivan of Foxboro, the late Loretta Sibley of Medway, the late Ethel Haraden of So. Hamilton, and the late Alice Boudreau of Walpole.

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Lawrence’s Life Celebration on Monday October 14, 2019, from 4-8 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common St., Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church, School St., Walpole on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 10 am.  Interment will follow at Knollwood Cemetery in Canton.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:  Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.