CHELMSFORD, Mass. – Michael John Leavitt, 71, of Chelmsford, Mass. passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 3, 2021.

Michael was born in Lewiston on June 12, 1949, the first son of Beverly and Jack Leavitt of Auburn. The family moved to Farmington in 1954, where Jack became the manager of an auto parts store and they reconnected with the Farmers, friends from their Lewiston years.

Michael was active in sports even as a young child, and in high school he excelled in basketball, baseball and football. One of the highlights of his high school career was scoring four touchdowns against a neighboring town – in the same game. He was inducted into the varsity club in 1967.

In 1968, Michael enlisted in the United States Air Force, and spent 18 months in Vietnam at Phan Rang air base. When he returned to the states, he was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, N.Y.

After his discharge in 1972, he earned an associate degree in electronics from Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute.

In 1974, he married Terri Lynne Farmer at the Voter Hill Farm in Farmington, and in 1977 began working for Champion Spark Plugs/Cooper Automotive/Federal-Mogul Motorparts. He was promoted to territory manager for Massachusetts in 1983 and the couple moved to Chelmsford, Mass. Another transfer followed in 1988 to Bowie, Md., where daughter Renatta Beverley was born in Annapolis, Md.

The family then moved to Batavia, Ill. in 1991 where Mike continued to work for Federal-Mogul Motorparts. He received many awards and recognitions, and in 1993 they found themselves back in Chelmsford, Mass. closer to Maine family and many friends.

After 35 years, Mike retired from Federal-Mogul and began working part-time at O’Reilly Auto Parts in Billerica, Mass.

Mike was an avid golfer and loved family gatherings, especially at Bear Pond. He and his brothers enjoyed hunting in the fall whenever possible.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Terri; his daughter, Renatta, his son-in-law Rob and grandson RJ. He is also survived by his brother, David and his wife, Paula, brother, Andy and his wife, Sheila; many nieces and nephews; and dozens of cousins.

Due to gathering limitations, funeral services will be held privately. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford, Mass. Funeral Director Paul A. Hardy, Jr. For online condolences please visit chelmsfordfuneralhome.com and find us on Facebook.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that an optional donation to a favorite charity be made in his memory.

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