TOPSHAM — Leighton Howe McIlvaine Jr., 74 passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife Karin with his children and sisters by his side on Wednesday, September 26. He fought a difficult battle with Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia and declined very quickly over the past two months.

Leighton was born on February 8, 1938 in Bryn Mawr, PA., the son of the late Elise Robinson and Leighton Howe McIlvaine. He grew up in Rosemont, PA and attended Episcopal Academy as a third generation student commuting to school on the Paoli local with his best friend, Nick Whitridge. He and his wife have returned to Episcopal for reunions and kept in touch with many dear friends.

He was known to his friends and family as “Howedy” and “Doods”. He and his sisters Heather and Lisa and their dog Jet had a wonderful life with many special memories to last a lifetime. He continued on to Trinity College in Hartford, CT where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall and earned his BS Degree. He remained in touch with many of his fraternity brothers and classmates and attended his 50th class reunion just three years ago. Leighton earned his MBA at New York University while working full time in NYC.

Leighton joined the Navy completing his training at Officers Candidate School in Newport, RI in January 1960. He served three years shipboard as a Lieutenant JG and was qualified as an officer of the deck underway. He completed 15 crossings from San Francisco to Japan.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Leighton began his long career as an Investment Advisor in New York City. He worked for the Chase Manhattan Bank as a Vice President from 1963-1974 and was instrumental in forming the bank’s International Investment Management Division under the direction of CEO David Rockefeller.

He also worked for many years with Wood Struthers and Winthrop, a subsidiary of DLJ as well as with Furman Selz Capital Management. He was especially fond of his wonderful friend Charlie Potter with whom he worked together with for years as well as many other long time friends and associates. Leighton also started his own Investment Advisory Firm, SORA Associates, located in Brunswick Maine and retired due to his illness in 2009.

Leighton met Karin, the love of his life, in Greenwich, CT in 1989. She was a Private Nurse working in nearby Stamford, CT and moved into a condominium next door to him. As they say, the rest is history.

They were married aboard The Enticer on April 27, 1991 on the Long Island Sound off of Greenwich, by Rev. Terry Elsberry from Christ Episcopal Church. Both Leighton and Karin shared a love of their Episcopalian Faith. Leighton’s paternal great grandfather, Charles Petite McIlvaine, was the Bishop of Ohio. They spent several years living in Greenwich enjoying many activities including the arts and music and were very involved in their community.

They traveled extensively to many exciting places including Prague, China, Tahiti, Central America, London, Italy and Paris and took many cruises as well as traveled throughout the USA.

Leighton was an incredible gardener and loved to putter around his yard. On many occasions, Karin’s nursing background came in handy as Leighton was somewhat accident prone while pruning his hedges. He would prune everything in his yard and remove every dandelion as well. All of the neighbors wanted to hire him. He liked everything to look just right!

The two other greatest joys and loves of Leighton’s life were his Children: His daughter, Carter and his son, Reed. Leighton adored his children and was always involved in their lives and a hands on dad. He was known to his children and their friends as “The Chief” and “Mr. Mac”. They skied together out West, swam in the waters of Nantucket, went fishing in many different places, including helicopter fishing in Vancouver BC, played tennis and paddle and were always out on the water in his boat. His children always meant the world to him and he will live on in them forever. He was always so proud of their accomplishments and of the wonderful parents that they both became. He was a proud Grandfather whom his four grandchildren called “Lucky.”

In 1998 Leighton and Karin decided to move to the McIlvaine family property and rebuild their home located in Harpswell, Maine, a magical place that Leighton’s Grandfather Charles Lee McIlvaine together with his great friend Roland Meisenbach, had discovered in 1924. “SORA”, as the property was rightly named after his grandfather’s sailboat, was indeed a special place and they made their home there for the past many years. Looking out over the Casco Bay at the sparkling water was so soothing and just beautiful in every season. There just never seemed to be enough time to take it all in. Leighton spent every summer there as a child and took the train from Philadelphia to Brunswick to join his Grandparents there.

Leighton was an avid photographer and through the eye of his lens, took many award winning photos over the years especially of his favorite “Maine.” He also painted beautifully with acrylics and had a gallery of his work within his home.

Since an early age, Leighton had a great appreciation for the arts and music. He and his wife have been subscribers to the Portland Symphony, Maine State Music Theater, Portland Opera, Portland Museum of Art, Community Little Theater and Bowdoin International Music Festival for many years.

Leighton resided at The Highlands at the Governor King Residence for the past year. He made many friends there and the care that he received from the wonderful staff was both loving and compassionate. They all worked so very hard to make his life as happy as possible while preserving both his dignity and quality of life. They were Leighton’s Angels. He especially loved the van rides and of course ice cream socials and the many musical events in the Activity Room. Karin spent a lot of time there with him as she felt like they were all her family as well and grew very attached to both staff and residents. For much of the year, Leighton was able to go out frequently with his very special caregivers/friends Dorothy and Charles. They had lots to laugh about and shared much quality time together. They both made such a difference in Leighton’s life. You could find Leighton at the Big Top Deli on any given day and loved his wonderful friends there, as well as next door at his Favorite Gelato Fiasco. You see, he liked ice cream more than anything else.

He participated in Respite Care, a place where he could be himself and loved to sing with Bobbie, Nancy and Jane and all of the other wonderful volunteers who cared so deeply for him. Leighton also worked with the Art Van and rediscovered his painting ability with the encouragement of Jennifer Wilkey, his wonderful Art Teacher. His apartment was adorned with his photos and paintings and most of all, his favorite red leather couch. He let everyone know that his couch was made especially for him many years ago. He also worked twice a week with his trainers Angela and Brenda, whom he loved, at the Highlands.

Leighton is survived by his wife of 21 years, Karin, whom resides in Brunswick, Maine. He is also survived by his daughter Carter Everitt (husband Tim), daughters Ramsay and Katie of Hamilton, Ma. His son, Reed McIlvaine, and his wife Kelly, sons, Cole and Sloane of Bedford Hills NY. Leighton is also survived by his former wife and mother of his children Ginny McIlvaine of Manchester, MA. He is survived by his two sisters and their families, Heather Lamb (husband Lawton) of Katonah, NY, Niece, Storrs Cote and children Blake, Alec and Pierce of Bedford, NY Nephew, Dana Lamb (wife Holly) son Henry of Marblehead, MA. Sister, Lisa Strawbridge (husband Norris) her children Alex and Skye of Charlestown, MA, his special mother and father in law Art and Eleanor Rose of Rochester, NY, sister in law Susan Hockert (husband Bob) Wilmington NY, sister in law Debbie Maloney (husband Tim) niece Janet and nephews Jason, Jonathan and Justin all of Churchville, NY. Brother in law Richard Rose (wife Myra) and niece Lindsey and nephew Brendan and all of their respective families of Cocoa, FL.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 25 at 2 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Pleasant Street in Brunswick followed by a Celebration of Leighton’s Life to be announced at the Service. In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made in honor of Leighton to Respite Care Program c/o Nancy Herk-Bott 12 Main St. Suite #2, Topsham, ME, 04086, or to The Art Van c/o Jamie Sylvestrie 7 Park St. Bath, ME, 04530, or the Mid-Coast Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are in care of the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick, ME.