John Nolan McKevitt

John Nolan McKevitt

January 3, 1944 – November 27, 2025

John Nolan McKevitt, of Hamden, CT passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025. He was a devoted father, grandfather, friend, and a man who treated everyone with kindness, generosity, and love.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Dugan McKevitt; his father, Thomas McKevitt; his brothers, Thomas McKevitt, Jr, Kevin McKevitt, Brian McKevitt, and Mark McKevitt. Though they are gone, their influence lived on in John’s fun and warm spirit.

He is survived by his daughter, Erin Leavitt, and son-in-law Jonathan Leavitt, as well as his cherished grandchildren, CC, Andrew, and Fiona. John is also survived by his dear sister, Shiela Hanson; brother-in-law, Pete Hanson; sister-in-law, Sallie McKevitt; sister-in-law, Christine McKevitt; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his lifelong friends, Larry Stephen, Bob Salinger, Bill Albin, Barbara Fiddler, and George Lynch.

John graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1962. He was a player on the 1959 Gonzaga DC City Champion football team. A lifelong learner, he earned a Bachelor of Science Psychology degree from Xavier University. He earned his first master’s degree in theology at Maryknoll Major Seminary. He earned a second master’s degree in Children and Adult Therapy from the University of Connecticut, and a third master’s degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University. He chose to put all of these degrees to good use as a clinician that served all in need.

John started this work as Youth Services Coordinator for Bloomfield, CT, then began his long tenure providing therapy to adults at the Branford Counseling Center. He also taught Social Work classes at Southern Connecticut State University. Throughout his career, John was known for his compassion, kindness, love, and genuine care for the well-being of others. His kindness extended to his co-worker’s birthday cards. He would always craft a personal haiku about the celebrant. After he retired from The Branford Counseling Center, they dedicated a John McKevitt Happiness Project board to carry on his legacy of guiding all to see what is good in the world and to honor the strength and courage of the clients they served.

John will be remembered for his love of family, love of friends, integrity, humor, patience, and his kindness. He was a pillar of strength—steady, compassionate, kind, and always present. Whether offering advice, sharing a laugh, or simply listening, he made everyone feel seen and valued.

John loved life to the fullest. His passions were his family, friends, storytelling, sailing, singing, nature, his faith, reading, dancing, Boston Red Socks, music, meditation, art, traveling, and his Irish heritage. His kind words of empathy and encouragement, when the journey of life misfortunes occurred, were the wise advice that misfortunes were adventures that could be great stories.

John’s truest joy were his daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren. He provided them with unconditional love, support, interest, generosity, and kindness. His pride of them knew no bounds. With a proud wide smile, he would tell stories about his amazing family to the point that the listener felt that they intimately knew them. His joy was connecting with his family about the world and their interests. After a conversation, a newspaper or book would be delivered from him about the subject. His home was a toy store with endless toys for his grandchildren. This included an indoor seesaw, play tent, ride on toys, full play kitchen, and countless other toys. He happily played tirelessly with his grandchildren and their toys. All three grandchildren loved singing with him, listening to him read books to them, and hear bedtime stories that he made up with his imagination.

His memory will live on in the hearts of his family, his friends, and all who knew him. John’s legacy is one of love and kindness for all—a legacy that will continue through all who love him. We will miss him dearly, but his memory will forever guide us. May he rest in peace.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 20, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peters Catholic Church, in Olney, Maryland. Contact Jonathan Leavitt at jleavitt88@gmail.com if you would like to participate in the Mass via zoom.

Please join the family at Shiela and Pete McKevitt Hanson’s home afterwards for a celebration of John’s life. 416 Southview Ave Silver, MD 20905. Please park on the front lawn.

A memorial will be held on the Connecticut shore in summer 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to: The Parkinson's Foundation