Elliot Carpenter Harvey


On Tuesday morning, June 7th, 2022, Elliot Carpenter Harvey, a loving husband and father of three daughters, passed away at the age of 57. 

Elliot’s childhood was spent in Carlisle Massachusetts, “City of the Woods”, where he learned the deepest love of nature, reading Thoreau, hiking, skiing, and swimming. He graduated from Concord-Carlisle High School in 1983 and Dartmouth College in 1987 where he studied Economics and Russian. Chess and reading were hobbies he pursued voraciously, but his passion became teaching. 

Elliot was a beloved teacher at The Winchendon School from September 1991-May 2022. His brilliance in learning helped him to be successful in teaching any subject, but he was most revered as a Math and Spanish teacher. Mr. Harvey, as he was known to all of his students, was the king of individualized learning. He made it his priority to build a relationship with each student in order to figure out what it was they needed most. Mr. Harvey taught much more than just content; he taught important life lessons, acting as a mentor to many. He later developed a love of photography that chronicled not only his family’s lives but the lives of all who passed through The Winchendon School.

A goal-oriented person, Elliot met obstacles with single minded determination such as hiking Mount Monadnock 50 times the year of his 50th birthday, identifying 100 new species of birds to his “Life List” in his first year of bird watching, thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2016, and fighting a cancer that should have ended his life in 4 months but resisting for 16 months. 

Elliot (lovingly known as E.G. for esteemed grandfather) is survived by wife Christina Cotter Harvey, daughter Adrienne Harvey, daughter Anna Harvey Leibman (Michael Leibman) and esteemed grandsons Cosmo and Solomon, daughter Allegra Leavenworth (Gary Leavenworth, Jr.) and esteemed granddaughter Nova, mother Cynthia Carpenter Harvey, father J. Stewart Harvey, sister Rebecca Harvey, brother Mathew Harvey, brother Ian Harvey, half sister Alex Harvey, half brother Ford Harvey, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was so very loved and was a mountain of a man that left a lasting impact on all he met. He will be deeply missed. 

Remembering: Elliot Harvey 

It has been a sad time as we have come to terms with the fact that Elliot Harvey is now inspiring us even if he can no longer cheer us on in person each day. There have been plenty of tears – but also the expected outpouring of appreciation and condolences for Chris Harvey and family. The populations that Elliot touched are weathering this only because of the remarkable support that so many have provided each other – kids supporting kids, teachers supporting kids, and kids supporting teachers, and the loving support of every community he shined upon shining back to us all in our time of need. Elliot would appreciate this and expect no less from the loving community he served in his 57 years of life on this earth. 

On Monday afternoon (June 13th), those of us who can, will come together to remember, honor, and celebrate Elliot and all that he meant to so many – and to support Chris Harvey and their daughters and family. 

A gathering to honor Elliot would not be complete without some time in nature – and so this will be a two-part remembrance, with the first part being a chance for a hike, walk, or drive up Mt Wachusett. While some may suggest that Wachusett is no Monadnock, Elliot spent countless hours on Wachusett as well – and caught many exquisite images from its summit. The goal will be to have those who can participate in this part meet on the summit at about 3:00, leaving the base between 2:00 and 2:15 for Pine Hill Trail, the most direct route. There is the option of driving to the top or hiking a longer trail. A time table is included below. 

The second part will be a gathering back at Winchendon School that will take place at 5:00 on the grounds in front of the Elliot Harvey Porch. We will share remembrances of and honor Elliot and then be together for a cookout by the pizza oven. If Mother Nature intervenes with this plan, we will shift to the dining hall as necessary. 

Attire will be Elliot-appropriate – trail gear to get you through the unexpected. For those of you who still haven’t worn out your Elliot Harvey Mountain Day shirts, please feel free to wear them.

We hope that you will be able to join us, but also understand that work and prior plans may make this hard. If you expect or hope to be able to make it, please click below so that we have an approximate number for the food.

https://share.hsforms.com/1sWVfUWEETYaSt19EoGqkvA227eb

If you are unable to make it but would like to share a remembrance for Chris Harvey and their family, please click below.

We hope that you will be able to join us Monday afternoon to celebrate the life of our remarkable teacher and friend. 

Gathering: Elliot Harvey 

Monday June 13th, 2022 

Hiking Mount Wachusett 

2:00 – 2:15 – Gather to start the climb. Pine Hill trail is 30 minutes at a steady pace. 3:00 – Gather at summit. 

3:30 – Picture at summit and start descent. 

The Winchendon School 

5:00 – Reconvene at 172 Ash St. Winchendon, MA. 

5:30 – 7:30 – Pizza oven for continued remembrance.

Chris Harvey has also requested that in lieu of flowers, the
family would like any donations to go to the Appalachian Mountain Club.

https://www.outdoors.org/

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9 Condolences

  1. Cindy on June 9, 2022 at 7:45 pm

    He sounds like an extraordinary man! I never got to meet him-but-Chris -my girls and I are so sorry❤️ Cindy morris



  2. Susan DeGrave on June 9, 2022 at 8:20 pm

    Even in his last months when he was clearly in great discomfort and pain, Elliot always had a kind word and a smile for his fellow teachers, especially those of us who are new to The Winchendon School. He was a gentleman, a scholar and a person of integrity. We will miss him greatly, and must strive to follow his example of a teacher who truly cared about his students as individuals.

    Susan DeGrave
    Spanish and French Teacher
    The Winchendon School



  3. Ron and Brenda Berg on June 9, 2022 at 9:46 pm

    Ron and I share in your sadness…he certainly was “A mountain of a Man”….I anxiously read all his messages about his journey ….hoping for good news, he always shared his days, no matter how difficult with hopeful positivity…..
    We send our love to the “Harvey Family”…we will see you Monday to remember and celebrate Elliot.



  4. Paul Gallant on June 10, 2022 at 7:51 am

    Dear Chris and Family,
    I am so sorry that Elliot has passed away. I worked with him for 24 years and thought of him very highly. He was a good teacher, with a great attitude. He did so much for his students that came through those doors at the school. He will be greatly missed.

    Paul Gallant
    Retired Mechanic



  5. Milree Keeling on June 10, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    So many of us were taught lessons about living by Elliot. He understood the power and treasure of love and family. Elliot’s brilliant intelligence and full embrace of life brought him wisdom early in his life. I count myself deeply blessed by him and send all my love to his family.



  6. Pat Lacey on June 10, 2022 at 6:00 pm

    So sorry for your loss He must have been an amazing teacher, athlete, husband, father, & grandfather from all that I’ve read about him You can be proud he was part of your life



  7. Shirley Blanchette on June 11, 2022 at 8:05 am

    Love and prayers for Elliots family.



  8. Ben Zucker on June 11, 2022 at 10:54 am

    Few people I know have worked so hard, with so much thought, and with so much success, to live a rich life and enrich the lives of others.
    I’m one of many to have benefited from Elliot’s mentorship and friendship over the years.



  9. Peter Weidmann on June 14, 2022 at 9:47 am

    Elliot was a role model for our son, Bryan (Winchendon Class of 2023), and will be dearly missed. Knowing the pain that comes with losing the love of your life to cancer, I extend our sincerest, heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the Harvey family.
    I feel this famous scripture will fit how I got to experience Elliot’s spirit and capture the last conversation we had in February, he is soaring now:
    But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).



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