Captain Horace M. Leavitt, Jr. of Brick, NJ entered in the Kingdom of Heaven on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 surrounded by his loving wife and family members at Ocean Medical Center. Horace was born in Long Beach, California on April 26, 1929 to his parents Gertrude and Horace Leavitt, Sr. (deceased) and was predeceased in death by his first wife Nancy Dohring and sister, Mary Jo Hasselfeldt.
Surviving are his loving wife of 23 years, Joan Garvey Leavitt; son Horace M. Leavitt III and wife, Maria; daughter Lisa Willie and husband Bill as well as his four grandchildren, Elizabeth Garza, Horace Leavitt IV, Joseph Leavitt and Sarah Willie, and four great-grandchildren, Joseph Jr., Jacob, Javier and Michaela.
After graduation from the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, in 1953, Horace served for 30 years in the Submarine Squadron (the Silent Service). His first assignment was aboard the USS Oriskany (CVA-34) and then he went on to be the Executive Officer of the GROWLER and the Captain of the Carbonero. He then served as Commander Submarine Squadron in Rota, Spain. He was the assigned to work on to the Regulus Program in Washington, DC.
After retiring from the Navy, Horace worked for Western Union in their space program. EPS, Inc, in Tinton Falls, and FEL in Farmingdale, NJ.
Horace was a devoted member of the Reformed Church in Brielle, NJ, as well as the VFW.
Horace was a wonderful husband, father, and grandpa-filled with integrity and love for his family. He will be remembered for all his good works on this earth and missed from our lives always.
A viewing will be held at O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Rd., Brick on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. A Memorial Service will take place at the Church in Brielle, Riverview Drive, Brielle, on Friday at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the American Red Cross or the Church in Brielle.