AUGUSTA - Jack Leavitt, 59, of 20 Mount Vernon Road died Monday night, Nov. 10, 2008, at his home surrounded by family and friends. Jack was born in Augusta on Nov. 19, 1948, the son of George and Vera Leavitt. He went to school in Augusta and, in 1968, joined the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. He served in the Army and was honorably discharged in 1971. Jack was an avid skydiver, having attained jumpmaster status with more than 1,000 jumps in his life. He also was an avid hunter. He always looked forward to deer hunting with his friends and family. During his years as a father, he enjoyed going to Old Orchard Beach and taking his kids camping. Jack was married to the love of his life, Michela Beland, for 36 years. During their marriage, they enjoyed traveling and vacationing in Mexico, Louisiana and St. Kitts. He was blessed with many friends and many good times throughout his life, and will always be remembered as someone that would help anyone out. Jack was a member of the Maine Black Bear Chapter, All-American 82nd Airborne Division, the Veterans of Foreign War Post 882 in Augusta, and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He had a strong belief on supporting the right to own and bear arms. Jack was predeceased by his wife, Michela Leavitt; a sister, Beverly Smith, formerly of Sidney; and his parents. He is survived by his mother and father-in-law, Larry and Jeneane Beland, of Zephyrhills, Fla.; brothers-in-law Mark, David, Robert, Bill and Brian Beland and their families, all of Augusta; sisters Betty Smith and Barbara Smith, of Sidney; a brother, George, of Presque Isle; two sons, Shayne Leavitt and his wife, Alicia, and Sean Leavitt and his fianc?e, Kim, and her three children, Cherry, Carrie and Raven; and two grandsons that were the love of his life, Dylan, 10, of Litchfield, and Nicholas, 7, of Augusta. He is also survived by many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by Bob and Cecile Studley and Deb and Jay Ainslie, both of Sidney, Phillip Arroyo, of Belgrade, Bob Studley Jr., of Sidney, Sherry Hall and her husband, John, of Pittston, David Atkinson, of Louisiana, the Lemelin gang, Jay, Steve, Cisco, Randy, Cheyenne, Lucy and Memere, Larry Foye and his wife, Mary, of Augusta, as well as many other friends. There will be a celebration of Jack's life at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. Burial will follow with full military honors at Coombs Mills Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. All are invited to a reception and time of remembrance at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 882 following the committal service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jack may be made to Shayne and Sean Leavitt, 18 Hellenic Drive, Apt. 1, Augusta, ME 04330. www.khrfuneralhomes.com