Bruce C Lavalley

Bruce C. LaValley, 85, of Cumberland Head Road, Plattsburgh, NY, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2022 at UVM:CVPH. He was born in Plattsburgh on April 17, 1937, son to Chester and Ruth Ann (Trombley) LaValley of Champlain, NY.

In the fall of 1938, the family moved to Detroit, MI as work was more plentiful for his father. Bruce would return to Champlain to spend summers on the Castine Farm (his mother’s and sister).

During the summer of 1945, on July 1st, his mother’s birthday, Bruce, while playing on the farm, broke his left arm, a double compound fracture. He was rushed to the Champlain Valley Hospital and the arm was incorrectly set. After several weeks in the hospital, gas gangrene set in, making it necessary to amputate the left arm. This freak accident never hindered Bruce from doing whatever he wanted to do.

Living in Detroit and Dearborn, MI until 1955, Bruce returned to Plattsburgh with his mother. Bruce stayed in Plattsburgh until 1958 and left for California. Not really caring for California, Bruce returned to Plattsburgh where he worked at several locations, joining the Teamsters, he got involved with the construction industry (had a membership in the labor’s, teamsters and painting unions).

He worked in the construction field in many states, working on the Mackinaw Bridge in upper Michigan for a painting contractor, worked on missile sites, drove tandem dump trucks and flatbed tractor trailer and at Cape Canaveral, where in 1963 President Kennedy who visited site pad 39 where Bruce was working just a week before President Kennedy’s assassination. He also worked in the states of New Jersey, Texas, New Mexico, California and Vermont. While working in Vermont, he met the love of his life, Pamela Laravia and they married in 1968. They had one daughter, Kelli Lynn, who was Bruce’s pride and joy.

In 1972, he was appointed Sole Assessor for the City of Plattsburgh, retiring in 1993. In 1989, he started his own appraisal firm, BCL Appraisal Services.

Bruce was quite active in the community, Junior Chamber of Commerce (named outstanding JC in 1967), Treasure and Ward Chairman for the City Republican Party for several years, active in the local Lodge of Elks, served and chaired on many committees, held many offices, and Exalted Ruler in 1989/90, member of Joe’s Hunting Club, North Country Golf Club, member of K&C Council # 255, Clinton County Board of Realtors, board member of the S.F. Vilas Home up to its sale, and served on the Plattsburgh City School Board.

Bruce was an avid golfer, playing league play, had a travel league of 16 handpicked golfers who traveled to different courses in Canada and Vermont every other Wednesday, greatly enjoyed by all. He won the Senior Club Champion at the North Country Golf Club for 5 consecutive years.

He is survived by his wife, daughter and son-in-law, Michael Calongne, many nieces, nephews and cousins, his closest friends, Don Miller, Wayne La Barge and Don Recore, who enjoyed the Saturday breakfast followed by a round of golf.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 3:00-6:00pm at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, May 6, 2022 at 10:00am at St. Peter’s Church in Plattsburgh.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St. in Plattsburgh. (518) 561-3980. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.