Rev. Peter Whitcomb Lovejoy

Rev. Peter Whitcomb Lovejoy passed away on October 21, 2023.  He was 87 years old.  He was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandpa, and friend to many people. 

He was a great listener, empathetic, and kind.  He was a natural-born minister.  Like his wife, Joyce, that was his true calling.  He loved dogs and was a long-time pet parent.  He loved being out in nature.  He loved his family very much and his friends dearly as well.     

He was born in Concord, Mass, on October 26, 1935.  He grew up in Littleton, MA, and graduated from Littleton High School in 1954.  He attended Lawrence Academy and graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in mathematics.

Pete married the love of his life, Joyce Estelle Conant, in 1959, also of Littleton. 

They moved to Seattle, Washington, where he began a career with Boeing as a computer programmer. They moved back east in 1960 and started their family.  They welcomed the birth of their first child, Elizabeth "Beth" Houghton Lovejoy (Ladd), followed by the birth of their son, Steven Whitcomb Lovejoy, and then Sarah Patten Lovejoy (Grund).  Each child brought blessings, challenges, and great joy!

Pete felt a calling towards ministry, so he enrolled in seminary at Andover Newton Theological School and graduated with a master's degree.  He later received a doctorate in Ministry from Bangor Theological School.  He began his ministerial career in 1970 at Atkinson Congregational Church in Atkinson, N.H.  In 1980, the family moved to Pembroke, N.H., where he ministered at the First Congregational Church of Pembroke.  His last ministerial calling was with the Goffstown Congregational Church while he lived in New Boston, N.H.

Pete enjoyed running for many years, ping pong, hiking, ice fishing, kayaking, and vacationing at Moosehead Lake with his family.

Pete is predeceased by his wife, Joyce, and their furry "daughter," Pepsi, whom they both love very much.  He is survived by his children: Elizabeth Ladd and her husband Carll; Steven Lovejoy and his wife Suzanne; and Sarah Grund and her husband Gary; grandchildren Ryan (and his wife Diana and daughter Riley), Kelley (and her husband Even-Andreas Eng), Rachael, and Michelle Ladd; Alex (and his wife Sarah), Aubrey, and Rebecca Lovejoy; and Caleigh Grund.  He is also survived by his brother Fran Lovejoy and his wife Susan; their children Mike Lovejoy (and his wife Ann), Dan Lovejoy (and his wife Kristin), and Kate Leutheuser (and her husband Andy); and by his nephew Bruce Phillips and nieces Tracy England, Deb Conant, and Wendy Magnifico.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Pete for his memorial service on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at Brookside Congregational Church, 2013 Elm Street, Manchester, N.H.; a reception will follow.  His burial service will be on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. At Westlawn Cemetery, 7 New Estate Road, Littleton, MA; a reception will follow.  All are welcome. 

 

 

Contributions can be made to:
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777,
New York, NY 10163
www.michaeljfox.org

 

Arrangements under the care of Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton, MA 01460 978-486-3709 www.badgerfuneral.com