By ALEX MALM

In 1958 Bob Leavitt, a life-long Warwick resident, was hired as a laborer in the Highway Division of the Department of Public Works where he worked for 34 years.

Now a trail in City Park which he helped to build is named after him.

“It’s an honor and it makes me proud to be recognized for the work I’ve done,” said Leavitt.

 During an October City Council meeting Leavitt’s daughter Linda Cote talked about his career. The Council agreed that it was appropriate to name the road after him. 

“He started working for the city at a time when the city was growing. Hired as a laborer in the highway department he quickly learned how to run and fix the heavy equipment and worked his way to operator,” said Cote. “He became very proficient in running the grader. He took great pride in his work believing he was making the city a better place to live. This led him to being assigned jobs around the city to clear and build the foundation for roads throughout the city; playgrounds; sports fields – including baseball, soccer, football fields, the sports complex, and high school fields; Conimicut Point; City Park bike path and roads through the park; and many other projects.”

During the Blizzard of 78 Leavitt who was a supervisor, was up for the challenge.

“Although his pay was salary and could not receive overtime, he did everything he could to help the citizens of Warwick. He was instrumental in getting a bulldozer from a construction company and ran it and other equipment to clear the roads, delivered food to an elementary school where children were stranded, cleared trees from roads, etc,” said Cote.” He worked for a week and a half straight (with few breaks to sleep) running equipment and doing anything that needed to be done all the while checking on his family to be sure they were doing okay. He did not complain about the hours, that he was on salary, or refused to do jobs that were not a supervisor’s duty. He just did his best to help clear the roads and get the city back to normal.

 Asked if he had any memories from his time working for the city, Leavitt pointed to grading the fields at Mickey Stevens Sports Complex, building the City Park bike path, and ball fields around the city.

“It was a good feeling knowing kids will be playing on them one day,” said Leavitt.

Leavitt explained that he enjoys City Park because there are many things for people to do in the park and something for everyone.

“I’ve had a lot of good times at the park,” said Leavitt. “The City employees had a baseball team and they used to play ball there. My family has held family reunions there.”

Even in retirement Cote said that her dad’s phone still rings with employees looking for his advice.

 “Even after retiring, employees of the city would call him to ask advice on why certain jobs were completed the way they were. He was, and still is, always willing to teach others what he knows,” said Cote.

At 81 years old Cote said that Leavitt is still doing what he can to help the city including making sure the storm drain on his street is clear. 

“This is just a small example of how civic-minded Bob Leavitt is,” said Cote.  “He is a dedicated family man who believes every citizen has a responsibility to help take care of the city, and has passed this belief onto his children and grandchildren. Through his work ethic Bob has demonstrated by example how important it is to work together and take pride in the City of Warwick.”