Joseph A Lavorando

West Chazy – It is with great sadness that we, his children, announce the passing of our father, Joseph Anthony Lavorando on the 24th day of January, 2023.

Dad was born in Plattsburgh, New York on September 26, 1926, the eldest son of Benedetto and Grace (Proterra) Lavorando.

He graduated from Plattsburgh High School in June, 1943 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the Army Air Corps and later in the U.S. Air force. After the completion of basic training, Dad served in the European Theatre during World War II from 1945 to 1946, being stationed in England, France and Germany.

Upon discharge from the service he attended Plattsburgh State Teachers’ College and graduated in 1948 (doing so in three years) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Prior to graduation he was offered a fellowship at Springfield College of Massachusetts in physical education.

On December 27, 1948 he married our beloved mother, Ellen L. Lavorando; they were married for 62 years at the time of her death on June 4, 2011.
After graduation he became employed by – and later an owner of – John LaPan Sons’ Distributing Company of Saranac Lake and Beekmantown, New York until his retirement.

One of Dad’s greatest passions was education. He served on the Beekmantown Central School District Board of Education as a member and President for over 35 years. He served as a member and President of the Clinton, Essex, Warren and Washington Counties’ Board of Cooperative Educational Services for many years, and as a member of the New York State Rural Schools’ Board. He also served as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the West Chazy Fire District.

Sports were a big part of Dad’s life. In high school and college he played and excelled in baseball, football, basketball and track. He became a Sectional champion in track held in Lake Placid, New York in 1942 or 1943. During his time in the service, while serving in Germany after the war ended, he played semi-pro baseball. During his college years and after graduation he was an umpire and referee in many sports’ contests held in the North Country.

Dad was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the Catamount Club in Loon Lake, New York, and went on numerous hunting and fishing trips to Anti Costi Island, Quebec and Newfoundland during his lifetime. His last fishing trip was in July, 2022 to our fishing camp in Quebec located approximately eleven hours north of West Chazy. He went to camp on a yearly basis for over twenty years.
Dad was an accomplished teaser and agitator. If you were the subject of his teasing it usually indicated that he liked you. If he had something to say to you, he would say it to your face and not talk behind your back. One rarely would have to wonder what his opinion was concerning political matters or other relevant issues of the day.

He had a prodigious memory and ability to recall the names of people he met throughout his life, including their family history, occupation, and specific events involving these individuals. He enjoyed talking to people and was genuinely interested in what they had to say.

Prior to August, 2022 he exercised at the Comfort Inn gym approximately five days a week, operated his car and tractor on a regular basis, read the Wall Street Journal on a daily basis and was cognizant of current local, state and national events.

During his last days on earth, our father’s courage when facing his impending transition from this life to the next, never waned, and has been a shining example to his loved ones.

He is survived by his children, Joanne Zatonski, Joseph Lavorando (Mary), Luanne Lavorando, Marianne Lavorando (Ken); a former son-in-law, Azin Jahanbakhsh; his grandchildren, Joellen Gilleland, Mariellen Boyd (Corey), Thomas Zatonski, Robert Lavorando (Amber), Lauren Lavorando, Janelle Briggs (Jerrod), Keon Jahanbakhsh (Chelsey), Mateen Jahanbakhsh, Dalton Kane and Marina Kane; eight great-grandchildren; seven nephews; and his brother, Ben Lavorando (Frances), and sister, Marie Bova.

In addition to his beloved wife and parents, Dad was predeceased by his daughter, Suzanne Lavorando, and his brothers-in-law, John Bova and Father Charles LaPan.

He was very thankful for his friends, fishing buddies and neighbors who made his last years more enjoyable and fulfilling. Special thanks goes to Fred Brean and Patty Winterbottom who would visit Dad on almost a daily basis, run errands for him, prepare and deliver meals, and fix whatever he broke.

In accordance with our father’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Chazy in the spring.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, New York. Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com