Westborough – Arthur H. Lerit, PhD, 73, of Westborough, passed away peacefully Aug. 26, 2018 after a period of failing health. His wife of 45 years, Mary E. Lerit, passed away in October 2016.
Arthur was born in Queens, N.Y., and was the son of the late, Jack and Lydia Lerit. Arthur graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1962, received a bachelor’s degree from the City University of New York – Queens College in 1966, and then a Master’s of Science in chemistry from the University of Rochester in 1969. He returned to Queens College where he earned his PhD in organic photochemistry in 1975.
Arthur and Mary moved to Worcester, where they raised their family and resided for over 40 years.
After instructing at two area colleges, Arthur spent nearly 30 years teaching chemistry at his beloved St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic High School to generations of students. While at SPM, he also directed the AP Chemistry curriculum, led the National Honor Society, and was an active fundraiser for St. Jude’s children’s charities. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church of Worcester, where he was both a Eucharistic minister and lectern.
He doted on his dogs and loved traveling with his wife and visiting with his grandchildren.
He is survived and cherished by his six children, Mitchel and Lindsey Lerit and their daughter, Clarajean; Daniel and Whitney Lerit and their children Raven and Nathan; William and Tracey Lerit and their children Kamden, Kayden, and Nevaeh; Rosemary Lerit Titievsky and Kirill Titievsky and their children Leo, Zoe, and Wes; Regina and Michael Penn; and Drs. Dorothy Lerit Shebelut, PhD and Conrad Shebelut, MD/PhD. In addition to his younger brother and sister, Bruce Lerit and Susan Schoppe, he is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for calling hours Friday, Aug. 31, from 4-7 p.m., in Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel (located within the cemetery) with burial to follow in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 West Stevens Ave., Hawthorne, N.Y, where Arthur will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Mary.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Arthur’s name be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.
To share a special memory of Arthur, please visit his personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com.
