Andy Leavitt paroled on a Sunday night. It wasn’t the way anyone wanted to see him leave, but in the end, we welcomed his release from pain. He showed great courage as he fought the good fight, remaining polite and caring to those around him, even when knowing his time in this world was to be cut short. He arrived at SQ in June of 1982, serving 25 years to Life. Soft spoken, he worked as a Machinist in the Vocational Machine shop.
A journeyman machinist, Prison Industry constantly pursued him, where he could make top dollar. Yet, he stayed on in Vocations to mentor other students. Andy was a accomplished teacher with patience that made him the one everyone went to for help or guidance. Andy’s parents, Victoria and John Leavitt, were there with him not only in his closing days, but in his life throughout his incarceration. Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt visited Andy and his brother David weekly for all of Andy’s 26 years here at SQ.
The bitter-sweet of seeing a child die in prison, was surely offset with truly knowing that their son was a man of whom they could be very proud of. His parents rightfully saw him as the man he’d become, opposed to the crime committed in his youth. On Friday, May 30, 2008, a memorial service was held in the Catholic Chapel to honor Andy. Some were there who knew Andy for upwards of 25 years. May his passing bring more meaning to those still here.
