Obituary for Jon F. Levangie
Jon Fredrik Levangie, 83 (1938 - 2022)
Born in Cambridge, and an almost 50-year resident of Lexington, MA, Jon was a kind man of humble origin, who went on to accomplish great things. Beloved husband of Rosemarie (Hogan), loving brother of William, Ann (Shanklin), and Robert. A hero to his children; Laurie, Jack & his wife Maureen (Wall), David & his wife Elizabeth (Walsh), and Dineen & her husband Steven (Dubuque). Jon’s abounding love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was absolute.
Born in 1938, Jon was the beloved son of Elsie (Johannesson). She being sole provider, Jon was also cared for in Cambridge by his aunts; Betty, Rita, Helen, and his Uncle Harold Johannesson. A child of the WWII generation, Jon vividly recalled being present the day the family was informed of the passing of Uncle Robert E. Johannesson, in combat duty in Germany. Ever a patriot, Jon served in Korea with the United States Army.
He returned home to Cambridge, where he met the love of his life, Rosemarie at a Cambridge Car Hop. They were married in 1962. Jon found work with Polaroid Corporation and began a 40-year career that would see him grow from ‘Film Packer,’ to Supervisor of Safety (OSHA). He co-published a case study, “Ergonomic Evaluation and Analysis of a Film Processing Task,” which is registered in the U.S. Library of Congress.
Jon was an avid hiker, a bicyclist, a woodworker, and a WWII enthusiast. He enjoyed building complex models and completing 5000-piece puzzles. He adored animals, and it would be wrong not to mention his best friend and companion after the passing of Rosemarie, his dog Jocko.
Whether a walk with the dog, or a seaside view, from the top of Mt. Monadnock, Washington, or Haleakala, he looked upon nature with awe. He traveled the U.S. with Rosemarie to see every National Park the nation had to offer.
To his accomplishments: He was a veteran, who served his country with honor. He was a man of deep faith and conviction, baptized Catholic upon his return from Korea. He was an affectionate and loving husband to his wife, who he lost, and carried on without for 16 years. He was a hero of a dad and, without the benefit of a father himself, loved and provided for his family abundantly. He worked endless years of double shifts so his children could enjoy being kids. He provided annual trips to Disney, family vacations, bountiful Thanksgivings, and blessed Christmases. He supported his kids whether it was in school, sports, drama, or life. He gave regularly to charities such as ASPCA, K9sForWarriors, the Jimmy Fund, WWII Museum, and Smile Train. He was a Boy Scout Troop leader. He earned an Associate degree in his 40s, as the opportunity simply wasn’t available to him in his teens or 20s. He was a terrible golfer, a so-so fisherman, but did earn the distinction as President of the Apple Valley Campground “One Match Club.”
He accepted people for who they were. He gave better than he got. He loved unconditionally. He battled Parkinson’s disease for well over 18 years and showed everyone who knew him how to live with strength, dignity, and grace.
He was a humble man that, to those who loved him, knew him as a giant.
Funeral Mass will be private, immediate family only. Donations in Jon’s name can be made to the Bedford VA Hospital. ( https://www.va.gov/bedford-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/#make-a-donation )
Born in Cambridge, and an almost 50-year resident of Lexington, MA, Jon was a kind man of humble origin, who went on to accomplish great things. Beloved husband of Rosemarie (Hogan), loving brother of William, Ann (Shanklin), and Robert. A hero to his children; Laurie, Jack & his wife Maureen (Wall), David & his wife Elizabeth (Walsh), and Dineen & her husband Steven (Dubuque). Jon’s abounding love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was absolute.
Born in 1938, Jon was the beloved son of Elsie (Johannesson). She being sole provider, Jon was also cared for in Cambridge by his aunts; Betty, Rita, Helen, and his Uncle Harold Johannesson. A child of the WWII generation, Jon vividly recalled being present the day the family was informed of the passing of Uncle Robert E. Johannesson, in combat duty in Germany. Ever a patriot, Jon served in Korea with the United States Army.
He returned home to Cambridge, where he met the love of his life, Rosemarie at a Cambridge Car Hop. They were married in 1962. Jon found work with Polaroid Corporation and began a 40-year career that would see him grow from ‘Film Packer,’ to Supervisor of Safety (OSHA). He co-published a case study, “Ergonomic Evaluation and Analysis of a Film Processing Task,” which is registered in the U.S. Library of Congress.
Jon was an avid hiker, a bicyclist, a woodworker, and a WWII enthusiast. He enjoyed building complex models and completing 5000-piece puzzles. He adored animals, and it would be wrong not to mention his best friend and companion after the passing of Rosemarie, his dog Jocko.
Whether a walk with the dog, or a seaside view, from the top of Mt. Monadnock, Washington, or Haleakala, he looked upon nature with awe. He traveled the U.S. with Rosemarie to see every National Park the nation had to offer.
To his accomplishments: He was a veteran, who served his country with honor. He was a man of deep faith and conviction, baptized Catholic upon his return from Korea. He was an affectionate and loving husband to his wife, who he lost, and carried on without for 16 years. He was a hero of a dad and, without the benefit of a father himself, loved and provided for his family abundantly. He worked endless years of double shifts so his children could enjoy being kids. He provided annual trips to Disney, family vacations, bountiful Thanksgivings, and blessed Christmases. He supported his kids whether it was in school, sports, drama, or life. He gave regularly to charities such as ASPCA, K9sForWarriors, the Jimmy Fund, WWII Museum, and Smile Train. He was a Boy Scout Troop leader. He earned an Associate degree in his 40s, as the opportunity simply wasn’t available to him in his teens or 20s. He was a terrible golfer, a so-so fisherman, but did earn the distinction as President of the Apple Valley Campground “One Match Club.”
He accepted people for who they were. He gave better than he got. He loved unconditionally. He battled Parkinson’s disease for well over 18 years and showed everyone who knew him how to live with strength, dignity, and grace.
He was a humble man that, to those who loved him, knew him as a giant.
Funeral Mass will be private, immediate family only. Donations in Jon’s name can be made to the Bedford VA Hospital. ( https://www.va.gov/bedford-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/#make-a-donation )