Leon John VanMolle III

FITCHBURG - Dec. 2, 1935 - Jan. 15, 2021

Leon John VanMolle III “Van”, age 85, of Fitchburg, MA went home to Christ peacefully in his home January 15, 2021, surrounded by family. He was the husband of Gertrude Alberta (Stone) (Whitcomb) VanMolle. He was born in Greenwich, CT and was the son of Mabel and Leon VanMolle II. Van was raised by his mother Mabel, step father Owen, and his grandparents, Charles and Katherine Lowden in Greenwich. In his youth he enjoyed working on the farm and being a golf caddie. After graduating from high school, he entered the United States Navy and served for 4 years as a 2nd Class Petty Officer, during the Korean war. He was honorably discharged in August of 1958. After his discharge he continued his education at West Chester Community College, Lowell Tech, and MIT night school.

His career ventures took him to Sperry Rand Research Center where he was employed as a digital and mechanical facilities engineer, and later became a consultant in those fields. During his career he also obtained thirty-six patents.

Van married Constance (Chidley)(VanMolle) Davis in 1958. They had three children, Mark, Cynthia and Leon J. IV and lived in Littleton, MA. The family spent a lot of time in Greenwich, CT and in Boca Raton, Florida.

In June of 2001 he married Gertrude Alberta Whitcomb. They had 20 years together of travel, friends, family and laughter sharing their home in Fitchburg. Many of their travels brought them to Africa, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Alaska, Italy, Nova Scotia, Denmark, Mexico, Florida, Martha’s Vineyard, and the Caribbean.

Van and Alberta loved hiking, fishing, gardening, cooking, swimming, traveling, golf, sports, reading and being at the ocean. They created a bird sanctuary in their backyard along with beautiful gardens. They were members of

St. Cecilia’s Church in Leominster. Van’s first love was spending time with his family, teaching them life lessons and inspiring them to reach their fullest potential and to enjoy life.

Survivors include his wife Alberta of 20 years and her extended family that includes Mary Ann Miller and her husband Paul, David Whitcomb and his wife Sheri, and Robert Whitcomb and his partner Roger Davis; his son Mark VanMolle and his partner Linda, his daughter Cynthia (VanMolle) Ellis and her husband Carl, his son Leon John VanMolle IV and his wife Kristin. Van was also blessed with 13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 2 more on the way.

There will be a memorial mass at St. Cecilia’s in Leominster, MA and a private burial in South Cemetery in Orange, MA at a later date.