LT Thomas Richard Dunn Babbitt, USN Retired, born on February 6, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the son of Edith Elaine Eastman Sexton and William Joseph Dunn. Thomas passed away at age 96 years young on April 10, 2025.
Tom is a 24-year veteran of the United States Navy. He attended the Roosevelt Military Academy in Aledo Illinois at 15 years old and was signed into the Navy at 17 years old on August 22, 1946, by his mother Edith who said the Navy needed him and he liked the color of the uniform.
He served during the end of World War II, in the Korean War and Vietnam War and received a Bronze Star and 15 other medals. He served on two Cruisers, Amphibious transport, Destroyer, Battleship, Submarine, two Essex Class Aircraft Carriers, and PBR Mobile Base 1 during his tours. He played a silent part in a movie when stationed at Treasure Island called “It Came from Beneath the Sea”. He retired from the Navy on Feb 1, 1970, after 24 years.
He loved sailing and traveling to Norway and Ireland to visit friends and family and other countries with Aurelie. They made many trips in the RV around the United States and Mexico.
Tom was a Third-degree master mason with the Jordon Lodge in Massachusetts from 1958 until 1981 and has been a member for 65 years.
His wife of 59 years, Aurelie Patricia Dodge Babbitt, Registered Physical Therapist, passed away July 18, 2011, and is survived by two children, Thomas Richard Babbitt II, Sheryl Lee Girard Heier plus 4 grandchildren, Crystal Rae Girard Perez, Thomas Anthony Girard, Brittney Ann Babbitt Whipple, Christopher Michael Babbitt, 3 great grandsons, Lucas Carlos Perez, Samuel Benjamin Perez, Jason Huckslee Whipple and one great granddaughter Nastassia Aurelie Whipple. He is predeceased by his wife Aurelie Patricia Dodge and son Brent Randal Babbitt.
He will be laid to rest beside his wife Aurelie Patricia Dodge Babbitt in Rowley Cemetery, Rowley, Mass.
Fair Winds and Following Seas – God Bless
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, https://bunkerfuneral.com . Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
WE LOVED TOM AND HE WILL BE MISSED! JUST A GREAT GUY WHO SERVED HUMANITY, HIS COMMUNITY AND OUR COUNTRY WITH HONOR. RIP TOM!