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Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory

1799 Elm St

Manchester, New Hampshire

Rodman Leavell Obituary

Rodman Hazard Leavell, 89, of Dover, NH passed away from Parkinson's on June 2, 2021, with his loving family by his side. Born March 12, 1932, in Louisville, KY, he was the son of the late Dr. Hugh Rodman Leavell and Barbara Hazard Leavell, and the beloved little brother of his late brother Nelson and surviving sister Barbara (Bobbie). He spent his childhood in Louisville before heading to the Choate School in Wallingford, CT and later to Babson College in Wellesley, MA from which he graduated in 1953. From the age of 4 on, he enjoyed part of each summer at his favorite place on earth, Cranberry Lake, NY in the Adirondacks, relishing time in and around boats of all types, and creating many wonderful memories with extended family and friends.

Rod built his career with Moore Business Forms, starting as a salesman and advancing to district manager for NH and VT. He was a devoted fan of the Boston sports teams, a dog lover, a photographer, a competitive sailor, an avid fisherman, and a staunch protector of loons and their habitats. He served on the vestry of two of the Episcopal churches he attended during his lifetime. After his retirement, he and his beloved wife Shirley lived in Hollis, NH where they enjoyed time with their three daughters and their families who lived close by, as well as time traveling. He was a past commodore of the Cranberry Lake Boat Club. Rod gave generously of his time for many years to the Road to Recovery program for the American Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels Manchester, and The Caregivers of NH. After the death from ALS of his wife Shirley, Rod helped found the Northern New England ALS Chapter for which he served as president for two years. He later married Donna Macomber Leavell and they moved to Manchester, where he continued his many volunteer activities.

Survivors include his wife Donna of Manchester; his three daughters and sons-in-law: Deborah and Richard Donnelly of Amherst, NH, Sally and Elliott Liu of Sneads Ferry, NC, and Sandra and David Stamp of Alton Bay, NH; step-daughter Pamela Hines of FL; his sister Barbara Leavell Smith of Petersburg, NY; sister-in-law Ruth Luciw of Mendon, MA; many cousins, and cherished nieces and nephews. His eight grandchildren: Ian and Neil Donnelly, Justin, Daryn and Nathan Liu, and Brittany, Drew and Phillip Stamp plus two great-granddaughters: Madelief and Roosmary Donnelly will also greatly miss their "Gampie" and will treasure memories of him cheering them on at their riding events or their soccer/lacrosse/baseball games, of earning their swimming trophies and of sailing, canoeing, fishing, and hiking together at their family camp at Cranberry Lake, and of fun games of cribbage or rummikub.

The Lambert Funeral Home in Manchester is in charge of arrangements. Calling hours at Lambert Funeral Home are from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, June 8. A memorial service for extended family only will be held at Church of Our Saviour (Episcopal) in Milford, NH at 11 am on Wednesday, June 9.

Memorial contributions in Rod's name may be made to the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (donate online at www.adkloon.org/support or mail check to PO Box 195, Ray Brook, NY 12977) or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org or mail check and donation form to PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014). To leave a message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the incredible staff of The Residence at Silver Square in Dover and Compassus in Exeter for their care, support and compassion.

Published by Union Leader on Jun. 6, 2021.
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Memories and Condolences
for Rodman Leavell

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I had met Rod after he had retired from Moore Business Forms, he was a friend of my father in law, Steve Chase and helped me in running a business of my own. He took me under his wing and taught me how to be a salesperson. I was always in awe of his energy and his competitive spirit at his age at the time. As I got to know him better in terms of his humanitarian passions, I came to respect him even more. Although I hadn't spoken with him in years, I thought of him often. He will be missed, they don't make men like him anymore.

Shawn Duling, Friend,
Greenville, SC 8/31/2021

Shawn Duling

Friend

August 31, 2021

It is with great sadness that I learned of Rodman's passing. As a child we were fortunate enough to be invited to spend time on the island on Cranberry Lake in its rustic setting with only a generator for refrigeration and kerosene lamps for lighting. Upon growing up, and after the death of his mother, our Aunt Barbara, our lives drifted apart. Places like Cranberry Lake and the old Hazard summer estate on Skaneateles Lake, where we continued to summer and spend time with his brother, Nelson, and their family, kept him in our thoughts and conversations for many years. Those are lasting memories one never forgets.

We send our condolences and warm wishes to the rest of his family and friends. I am sure he is dearly missed. Fair sailing in the life beyond, dear cousin.

William Hazard

Family

June 27, 2021

For many years, Rod has been a valuable member of The Brookside Church in Manchester.
He was a dedicated member of our community and we will miss him dearly.

David Migliori

Friend

June 8, 2021

You will always be in my heart. I am grateful to have known you and for your amazing family. I will miss you dearly.

Renee McAllister

Friend

June 8, 2021

I first met Rod at Derryfield School's grandparents day and ran into him several years later at the Elliot Senior Center where he was a faithful exerciser. Even with his Parkinson's he did his best to stay in shape. He had a great circle of friends and enjoyed going to the baseball games and talking about his family. He was a special guy. My sympathy for your loss, I know you can celebrate a life well-lived.

Ellie Cochran

Friend

June 7, 2021

My dear Uncle Rod, I will miss you terribly. I miss Christmas and Easter holidays with you (and my cousins). I love that you cried at my wedding. I miss your gentle teaching my sons about our beloved Chair Rock. When I hear the loons, I will think of you.

Sarah Ferguson

Family

June 4, 2021

In memory of Rod a donation was given to the adkloon. Org from the Donnelly families of Erie,pa

Brynn Paypal Express Checkout

Family

June 4, 2021

Donna and the entire Leavell family,
I'm so sorry to learn of Rod's passing. I was one of Rod's home caregivers during his battle with Parkinson's. We spent many enjoyable hours together shopping for the perfect new pontoon boat for the camp on Cranberry lake he so dearly loved.
Our visits often ended with me dropping him off at Chez Vachon for his cribbage league, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Both Rod and Donna were always a pleasure to be around.
Scott R.

Scott Rowell

Friend

June 6, 2021

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Memorial Events
for Rodman Leavell

Jun

8

Service

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory

1799 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03104

Jun

9

Service

11:00 a.m.

Church of Our Saviour

10 Amherst Road, Milford, NH 03055

Funeral services provided by:

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory

1799 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03104

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