Nathan Frederick Leavenworth passed away on June 7, 2023 while in hospice care in Ellenton, FL after complications from cancer. His son and caregiver were by his side.
Nate was born on January 28, 1941 in Fitchburg, MA. He was one of 5 children born to Edwin and Evelyn (Grondin) Leavenworth. He graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1959 where he played football and basketball and ran track. He went on to college at Fitchburg State College initially before transferring to State College of New York at Geneseo in New York where he would graduate with a bachelor's degree in history.
While in college at both Fitchburg and Geneseo, Nate began working for the YMCA. The YMCA turned out to be his calling and he joined them full time upon graduation as the Physical Director for the YMCA of Canandaigua, NY. While in his role there he founded the Mom and Tots swim program for mothers and their infant to toddler age children. In 1968 he was offered a management position with the YMCA in Middletown, CT where he remained until 1980 when the Fitchburg YMCA came calling. He accepted the position of Executive Director for the Montachusett Regional YMCA in 1980 where he remained until 1991. Upon his departure from the YMCA, he continued to work in fields where he could help others in their circumstances. He worked for nursing homes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island before moving to Florida in 2004. Nate was an avid golfer, a lover of convertibles and a faithful Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics fan. His favorite times were when his children and grandsons came to visit.
He is survived by his ex-wife Linda (Eyles) and their children, Sanford G. Leavenworth of Groton, MA and Kristen L. Sampson of Dover, MA, his 4 grandsons; Cameron N. Leavenworth, William T. Sampson, Noah B. Sampson, and Timothy E. Sampson. Also his ex-wife Mary Dwyer and his sisters Betty Beach of Ormond Beach, FL, Charlotte Smith of Westminster, MA, Linda Streeter of Westminster, MA and Nancy Richmond of Taunton, MA.
A service will be held at the Woodside Cemetery, 9 Narrows Road, Westminster, MA on September 9th at 11:00am. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name, Nathan F Leavenworth, to the Jimmy Fund.
