Harry Lavigne

I want this to be more than a usual obituary. This is my “Hello” and my “Goodbye”. I am saying farewell to all my friends and relatives and hope they will miss me as much as I have enjoyed having them beside me during my learning experience on this earth. I have learned a lot and have enjoyed many wonderful experiences but now it is time for me to depart. I love all of you. As I think of my life, I wish some things would have been different, but most events were A-Okay. What a journey this has been. I was born February 8, 1928, the only son of my father, Harry S. Lavigne and my mother, Elizabeth Bestgen Lavigne. My father died when I was 4 years old. My mother kept body and soul together; she successfully raised my older sister, Rita, and me. After high school, I joined the Army and served 1 ½ years. I attended Washburn University, Topeka, KS and Rockhurst College, Kansas City, MO. My mother died in 1986. My sister, Rita was an Ursuline Sister and a gracious lady. I was so proud of her. She passed away in 2015. I married Nancy Steck in 1950. Our first son, Tim (Pam), was born in 1954. Tim now lives in Chandler, AZ and is retired from the banking business. Our second son, Phil (Kim), was born in 1955 and lives in Phoenix, AZ. He is a Director of Sales at a major resort and spa in Phoenix. Our third child was Laurie (Dan Garringer). She was born in 1957, lives in West Des Moines, IA and is in the computer services business. All three children were born in Topeka, KS. Their mother, Nancy, died in 2003. I have been married to June for 45 years and blessed with June’s children, Annie Waters, Kay Slezak, and Tom Homsey. I have many grandchildren, Ryan and Brooke Lavigne, Heather Fessler, and Justin Thomas (deceased), Jamie Fredregill, Nikki Russell, and Justin, Jessica, and Jake Slezak, Tyler Lavigne, Summer, Amber, and Heather Corby. I also have 7 great-grandchildren. They are well on their way in this world. I truly hope their journeys are successful. I worked for the Federal government, Trans World Airlines, and then spent 35 years in the business of banking. My hobbies were golfing, hunting, and fishing. Life was good. I have chosen not to have a traditional funeral service. It is my desire to have a simple memorial service at my gravesite, Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Topeka, on Saturday, Nov 5th at 11:00 a.m. This is a long way from most of my family and friends. It is now time to close and say farewell. I’m sure we will all meet again – I just don’t know where or when. Enjoy life; it’s always later than you think. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be made to Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, Kentucky, 42356 With much love and gratitude, Regards, Harry

Harry Lavigne

February 8, 1928 - September 7, 2022