David W. Raitt

Eliot - David W. Raitt, 87, passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023, after a lengthy illness. Born in Portsmouth, NH on October 18, 1936, a son of the late Roland and Irma (Spinney).
Dave was a hard worker, starting early in his life with chores on the family's dairy farm in Eliot. He joined the Army Reserves at the age of 18. After serving, his first job away from the family farm was at Blewins Manufacturing as a cabinet maker. From there, he transitioned into a long career as a truck driver, which he loved, starting with Badger Farms Creamery in Portsmouth, NH. His most memorable job was working for Farmers Service. He would drive all over Southern ME and NH, picking up milk from dairy farms. After that, he drove a truck for Shapleigh Construction, Dion's Yacht Yard, and Ray Grover Construction. His last job was for the Town of Eliot DPW, driving the roll-off truck to Westbrook. Finally retiring at the age of 81.
Dave also loved working with his hands and was talented in all the things he touched. As a teenager he made scale vehicles out of construction paper, he then started crafting trucks out of wood. After getting married in 1960, he began building furniture for the house they would live in on Cedar Rd for 61 years. He built a workshop that was used for woodworking and later for restoration of vehicles and farm tractors. Next came a pole building to house his many projects. The knowledge of working hard for the things you wanted are traits he passed down to his three children.
Daves favorite thing to do was go camping with his family. Long after the kids had grown, he and his wife Marion continued to travel all over the country, visiting every tractor and engine show they could find. This led to Dave fixing up his first old tractor to take to shows. He decided to have a yearly show of his own at the family farm. Dave and Marion hosted the first show in 1995 with the help of his family and friends at the Raitt Farm. They called it the Eliot Antique Tractor & Engine Show. A legacy that continues to this day. He was proud to bring a little sparkle back to the family farm.
David is survived by his loving family, Sons Leon & Anne Raitt, Tom & Lisa Raitt of Eliot, and a daughter Michele & Bernard Bernier of Lebanon. He also had two granddaughters, Kayleigh Lytle and Maria Bernier, and two great-granddaughters, Kota and Kendra. He was predeceased by his wife Marion, his parents, and siblings Arlene, Nelson, and Gerald.
A memorial visitation will take place on Monday, December 11, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the JS Pelkey & Son Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Rd, Kittery, ME. In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made in Dave's memory to the Raitt Homestead Farm Museum, 2077 State Rd, Eliot, Maine 03903. To leave online condolences or share a memory, please visit www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com. Care for the Raitt Family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey & Son Funeral Home.