Update: Services for Leo V. Willett Jr. MD Moved to Next Week

Leo V. Willett Jr. MD, 82 of Durham died October 25 in his home.  

Leo is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy Sullivan, his sister Pauline Bell of Cheshire, MA; his four children Leo V. Willett IV of Seminole FL, Jenny Willett Hedderman of Ipswich, MA; David S. Willett of Westbrook, CT; and Francis S. Willett of Durham CT; and six grandchildren Mallory Willett, Leo Willett V, Michaela Hedderman, Sean Hedderman, Logan Willett and Aidan Willett.  Leo was predeceased in death by his parents Leo V. Willett Sr. and Jeannette Crepeau Willett of Cheshire MA and his sister Jean Ann Willett Biron of Bedford New Hampshire.  

Leo was born in Adams, Massachusetts, attended Cranwell Preparatory School in Lenox, MA; Holy Cross and Tufts University School of Medicine. While at Tufts he was a member of the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity and the Louis Pasteur Society.  He began his Internships and residencies at Carney Hospital, Boston and served as general medical officer at the Boston Naval Ship yard from 1956 to 1958. Leo then continued his residencies at the US Naval training center, Great Lakes, Illinois.; the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, MD; and finally at the University Iowa Children’s Hospital, Iowa City.  

He was a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and has been a member of the Philadelphia Hand Group and Orthopedic Society. The author of numerous medical articles and publications including Combat Amputees, Use of Mesh Grafts in War Wounds and Ankle Disarticulations and War and Amputation Surgery Secondary to Peripheral Vascular Insufficiency. 

During a  Naval career spanning 17 years and culminating with the rank of commander, Dr. Willett, in the early 60’s, deployed to Malaysia, to assist with establishing the public health system, and researching the effects of food deprivation.  In 1969, during the Vietnam War; he deployed as chief of Orthopedic surgery to the hospital ship, USS Repose.  He concluded his Naval career as a leader of the assistant chief of the orthopedic service and head amputee ward at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital.

Dr. Willett moved his family to Durham in 1971 where he worked as an orthopedic surgeon with his colleagues from the Meriden Orthopedic Group. “It is most important to pay attention to what's going on locally, “It's very easy to go abroad,'' said Willett. ``It's much harder to stick around and solve local problems.''  “Doc” served Durham residents for 35 years as Health Director, as well as commission member of Cemetery and Inland wetlands; resident directors of the Durham Fair Foundation for 17 years, Durham Fair Association for 25 years; and Medical Services - Durham Fair Association for 14 years. Along with Dorothy, he sponsored the Leo and Dorothy Willett scholarship for graduating Durham seniors. He was a voracious reader, golfer, fisherman, beachcomber, Red Sox and Celtics Fan – and friend. 

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the Doolittle Funeral Home in Middletown, CT. (Due to an event on the green in Middletown, street parking will be limited. Arrangements have been made to have additional people at the Funeral home to direct traffic for those attending Dr. Willett’s wake.) Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Notre Dame Church on Main Street, Durham, CT.

Burial with military honors will follow at Mica Hill Cemetery and a gathering at the Lyman Homestead, 3 Lyman Road in Middlefield, CT.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Dr. Leo Willett’s name to the following:

Durham Volunteer Fire Company
P.O. Box 154
Durham, CT 06422

Durham EMS
P.O. Box 207
Durham, CT 06422

Durham Fair Foundation
P. O. Box 642
Durham, CT 06422

Durham Public Library
6 Maple Avenue
Durham, CT 06422