John W. "Rabbit" McDavitt

John W. “Rabbit” McDavitt, 90 of Holden formerly of Worcester and Brookfield, passed away  on Monday, October 16, 2017 at St. Vincent’s Hospital with his family by his side. Rabbit was born in Webster, Massachusetts, a son to the late John F. and Lillian (Beauregard-May) McDavitt. He was a graduate of Commerce High School and shortly after high school he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1946 serving his country proudly overseas on the USS Augusta amongst other ships.  Rabbit worked as a firefighter for the City of Worcester, both Engine 5 and Ladder 4 at Webster Square Station retiring after 28 years of dedicated service in 1989.  Rabbit was the last surviving charter member of the Vernon Hill American Legion Post 435.  He was very involved with "Friends of Bill W." and was proud to be able to mentor and touch hundreds of lives for the past 45 years with his success and support. He was so thankful for the support of Don D and John C in the early stages of his trek, and he was happy that his friends Debbie, Michael and Sully were willing to take time to drive him to meetings in his final years and for the tireless support of Bill M. There were undoubtedly many others he would want to thank as well throughout the years for keeping him on the right track. Our family was so proud of him for surviving that journey. Rabbit loved all sports with a particular fondness for baseball and his beloved Red Sox. He thoroughly enjoyed attending Spring Training Games in FL when visiting with his daughter. He was so happy to have witnessed 3 World Series championships. Most importantly, he was his children's and grandchildren’s biggest fan at any of their sporting events and could always be seen and heard on the sidelines with his unwavering support.  He was particularly well known as a highly regarded fan of the Tufts University Baseball Team where his grandsons both excelled. Rabbit is survived by his daughter, Patricia E. Sauriol and her husband Thomas of Moultonborough, NH; his son, Thomas J. McDavitt and his wife Cyndi of Holden who was his "savior" in his last years; a daughter-in-law, Lisa McDavitt of East Brookfield; seven grandchildren, Andrew Dawson and his wife Lauren, Matthew and Danielle Sauriol, Bryan McDavitt and his wife Megan, Erynn McKay and her husband Justin, Connor McDavitt and Kailee McDavitt and her friend Nick Salerno; two great grandchildren, Homer Dawson and Shawn L. McKay; and several nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his son, John W. McDavitt, Jr. in March of 2016; his daughter, Maureen M. Dawson in 2004; his grandson, Shawn R. McDavitt in 1991; his former wife, Kathleen O. (O’Connor) McDavitt in 2008; seven siblings including, Joseph May of Worcester and Brother James McDavitt of the Jesuits. Services for Rabbit will be held on Friday, October 20, 2017, departing at 9:45 am from MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester for a Mass at 10:00 am in Immaculate Conception Church, Grove St., Worcester.  Burial with military funeral honors will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester.  Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Rabbit’s family on Thursday, October 19th from 4-7 pm in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rabbit’s name can be made to: Society of Jesus of New England, PO Box 9199, Watertown, MA 02471-9199or Boston Children's Hospital Trust, 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA 02215.  To share your thoughts, memories of prayers with Rabbit’s family, please visit his personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com