Joe Lavin

Joe Lavin

August 04, 1949 - November 03, 2015

Joe Lavin

August 04, 1949 - November 03, 2015

Obituary

Joe Lavin passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 66 years old. Born in Philadelphia Pa., he and his family moved to California in 1974.

Joe spent the last 46 years with his wife Diane. He is also survived by daughter Monica Ward, son-in-law John and granddaughter MacKenzie. Also surviving Joe are his sister Maureen Erthal, brothers Andrew Lavin and Thomas Lavin (Dee), and so many loving nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Teresa, his brother John and sister Alice.

Joe will be remembered mostly as a courageous man who was kind as well as strong. He was a fighter who loved freely. He enjoyed celebrations, spending time with family and friends, music, going to the show, watching the Philadelphia Flyers and anything related to MacKenzie.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Paralyzed Vets of America. A tribute has been set up under Joe Lavin. Donations can be sent to:
National Headquarters
801 Eighteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006-3517 or Contact Madison @ 202/416-7778.

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17 responses to Joe Lavin

  1. William Ward says:

    Joe was first and foremost a devoted family man who had a big contagious smile and an even bigger heart. We have so many good memories of Joe from Monica and John’s wedding, diners out together and watching Mackenzie play softball. We are going to miss him, but he will always have a special place in our hearts. God Bless and rest in peace. Bill and Ginny Ward

  2. i only saw Joe on special holidays, but what I remember most is he always had a smile on his face and i kind word to say. He will be sorely missed.
    John Dorey

  3. Rod Fick says:

    I was blessed a few years ago to meet Joe and Diane when I took a job in Orange County. Since I lived in Palm Desert, I needed a place to hang my hat 2-3 nights a week in town. My sister (a long time friend and co-worker of Diane) arranged a meeting and I drove in to see about renting a room from them. That was the day I felt like I was welcomed into and became a part of their family. There was many an evening, maybe after Chinese food and a glass of wine or two, we discussed and probably solved many of the problems of the world. One of my fondest memories with Joe was helping Diane decorate their Christmas tree, with Joe keeping close watch over us both……supervising as only Joe could! This was one of the times that they would tell me a little about the history of a particular Christmas decoration, how long they had it in the family, where it came from,and what memories they had about earlier days in their lives. Their home was filled with love and happiness and they were truly an inspiration in many ways. As a husband, a father, a grandfather, a friend, a veteran and a patriot, he was simply as fine a man as I’ve known. God Bless and Rest in Peace my friend,……Rod and Olympia Fick

  4. Dear Joe – Chew and Chelten, Immaculate/Germantown, Dougherty Class of ’67, love of his life, Di, from ‘Inky’, move from East Coast to West Coast, beautiful inside and out daughter, Monica, wonderful son-in-law, John, and his beloved Mackenzie. Kevin and I hadn’t seen Joe or Di in almost 30 years (after a raucous evening in Chalfont singing a non-traditional version of 12 Days of Christmas followed by charades) then visited them 2 years ago – it was though we we had just been with them a couple weeks before. We ate, drank, laughed a lot, talked some politics, more Notre Dame, and had a wonderful time. They took us on a beach tour the next day then we parted ways. Fortunately, we were able to come out again this past summer with other friends and once more enjoyed their company, although Joe had just been admitted to the hospital. Joe, you still had a sense of humor, those mischievous twinkling Irish eyes, and winning smile. You and Di are such an inspiration for all of us. Rest in peace, my friend, and say hi to Marty.
    Love, Eileen O’Rourke

  5. Roy Jenkins says:

    One hopes to find better news when Googling for an old friend. I regret losing touch with Joe, though I have fond memories of him. I met Joe when I was looking for a tiny space (mailbox) to house my fledgling business. I saw him several times a week at his shop, and he always was positive and smiling, even as I struggled. He wrote the first check to my new venture (I think it was $10), and helped me through some rough patches. We didn’t see each other often outside the store, but I do remember getting together for a couple of Cowboys/Eagles games. He didn’t even give me too much grief about my Cowboys. Just the kind of guy he was.

    I’m pleased to learn about Monica’s wedding, and that Joe had some years of joy watching a grandchild grow.

    One of the good guys left us too soon. Rest in peace, my friend. –Roy Jenkins, Dallas, Texas

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