Richard LaVigne

Birth date: Aug 29, 1941 Death date: May 2, 2024

Richard LaVigne, 82, of Odessa, FL passed away on May 2, 2024. Richard was born in Genoa, OH on August 29, 1941 of Leo and Bernadine LaVigne. He attended Central Catholic High School and served in the United States Army. Richard Read Obituary

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Beth Buehrer

54w ago

(Continued from previous entry)
We had the prettiest yard in town. Even if Mom & Dad planned out the original landscaping, Richard maintained it and added to it. He made a large vegetable garden in the back by the garage. He nurtured the Climbing Blaze roses on the gate and garage trellises. He loved those roses, and they made beautiful color to the "pet cemetery" where he and I buried our unsuccessful attempts to save orphaned newborn wildlife.
One winter afternoon when Bernie got out of school early, after taking her home, he decided to surprise me & pick me up as I was walking home. He was just in time to catch a bully shoving snow down my jacket. Richard jumped out of the car, grabbed the bully's arm and told him he better never touch his little sister again! My hero...
In summers he took me for rides in his brand new electric blue convertible - almost always with the white top down. I felt like a queen! He took all of us out on his boat a lot as well. One trip was to Kelly's Island. A displayed photo shows Richard & me standing on glacial grooves as we were hiking on & around them - something that is no longer allowed since they've excavated more of them & now they're both dangerous & protected. Richard the captain was able to pilot us to mainland safely after a frightful trip home in one of Lake Erie's notorious pop up storms.
He always knew just the right thing to give me for my birthday and Christmas. I thought he could read my mind, but as an adult I realize he had a little help from Mom. However; he knew how to follow thru!
When I was 16, he invited me to stay with him in San Diego for a week or so. He took me everywhere including his campsite in the Borrego Desert (per the news that night: 117 degrees in the shade). Thank goodness the ONLY tree was AT his campsite! He took me mountain biking, but popped a wheelie on the 1st hill scaring us both - he'd never had a rider on the back before. It put a damper on the rest of the ride! I loved playing with his dog, King, and weeding his garden. I was horrified a few weeks later when my sister had visited him & my nephews brought home a tarantula from that garden!
Finally, Richard & Lucy gave me the honor of being Godmother to their 1st born.
Now you know the boy, the young man, & my hero.

Beth Buehrer

54w ago

I'm still having difficulty typing this, hard to see thru the tears: This is what I wrote in memory of my brother - and read it at the funeral:
I had 3 great siblings that helped make my childhood the best, but I want to share a few memories for you to know Richard: the boy, the man, the hero.
One of the photos displayed is Richard pushing me in the snow buggy. I actually REMEMBER that happening once - but it probably was more often: I was very excited to find that photo.
Together with Robert & Bernie, he lifted me into our cherry tree that I'd always wanted to climb. I was too little, but they all wanted me to have that experience before the sick tree was cut down.
He never seemed to mind when he was stuck babysitting me. We liked the same TV shows: sitcoms & cartoons - almost all of them. He really liked Mr. Magoo; I couldn't stand him! Evenings he would always make ice cream sodas for us both. Playing with a little kid didn't seem a chore for him & he even took the blame when we broke a favorite candy dish while wrestling on the living room floor. Sometimes he took playing too far. Sunday mornings when I was left home from Mass & it was his turn to babysit, he'd go to early Mass. Then while everyone else was gone he'd tickle me. It always started fun, but he didn't know to quit when I started crying - then it was torture even though he was still having fun! He did provide great entertainment after supper. He & Bernie washed the dishes. He loved to tease her & she tried to dish it back, but it was her turn to be tortured. I was a captive audience, since I was forced to sit at the table till my plate was clean - thank heavens for the dog!
Richard loved nature. He grew plants for his 4-H project when his grow light exploded on the enclosed back porch and almost burned down the house! Silver lining: from that fire we got a new and larger kitchen, and added a half bath & a utility room over the old cellar. Outside he loved fishing with his buddies, but when he was home he'd take me tramping thru the park woods across the street. He was always teaching me about the flora & fauna. Once he had something spectacular to show me - made a BIG DEAL about it, telling me not to be afraid; he wouldn't let it hurt me. Bernie's curiosity was peaked, so she had to see what was going on and followed us out the utility room door where Richard held on to me by the raised garden by the door. She saw it, screamed, and ran back thru the house! There on an intricate web was the most gorgeous spider I've EVER seen. That's coming from someone very afraid of spiders. I've never been able to find it in reference books, or now on-line either. I'm guessing it's body measured 1" diameter and its shiny black legs each had a little white speck almost at the foot. The fantastic part was its body looked like it was covered in royal blue glitter, some of it changed colors as it swayed in the breeze. I trusted Richard so much that I just stood there fascinated rather than running scared.
On an extended-family vacation in the Irish Hills of Michigan we found new creatures. At least they were new to me. I found out that not just snapping turtles bite, but I was able to bring Swifty the painted turtle home & Richard taught me how to take care of him. I loved him for years... I'd never seen snails in the wild and Richard convinced me to pick them up so I wouldn't be afraid. There was a shallow section to the right of the boat dock which I only walked in once. Leeches! Black ones with red squiggly lines on them! I might have considered them pretty if one hadn't been attached to my big toe! I was afraid of it on my foot - horrified I might add, but afraid to take it off as well. Richard coached me to pick it off - teaching me both courage and first aid.
(To be continued in another one last entry)

Jerry Fink And Marcia Hartzell

74w ago

Sent a Love's Journey to the LaVigne family.

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Anonymous

74w ago

Sent a Divine Peace Bouquet to the LaVigne family.

Beautiful flowers arranged with a cross, symbolizing remembrance and peace in a heartfelt tribute.

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Melissa Suddeth

74w ago

While I never had the honor of meeting Richard, I feel his spirit is reflected in his daughter Melissa. Those who live in others are never truly gone. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Anonymous

74w ago

Sent an Emerald Garden Basket to the LaVigne family.

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Reinemeyer Family

74w ago

Sent a Fairest of All to the LaVigne family.

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Bernadette Kroetz

74w ago

As siblings groing up we had many fun time together. Shortly after graduation from high school Richard bought a ski boat. That sumer our parents took the family and some of our friends to a lake vacation in Michigan and Richard brought his boat. What fun we all had as some of us had never been on a ski boat or even tried skiing.
After I was married and had two very young boys, we went to San Diego to visit him. He tooked the four of us fishing in the ocean. The boys really wanted to fish but were too young. We did give them a fish pole and baited it with a bake bean. As soon as the boat left the dock the boys fell asleep. We caught some fish and when is was time to go back to shore Richard suggested we put a fish on the boys' line before waking them. We did that. The boys were so happy when we woke them up and we told them it looked like they caught a fish. Richard's plan made a hit with his nephews.
In 1967, Richard came on vacation with us to Lake Cummerland, Kentucky. My husband, Richard and my bother, Richard fished every day and I played with the children and cooked the meals. In the evening we all sat around the campfire and enjoy each others' company.
Just before Covid our siblings and spouses had a vacation together in Arkansas. We had a great time being together and ever since then I wanted another get together even if we just sat in the home and talked. I am so sorry it didn't work out.
I have many childhood memories but these stand out in my mind because they are ones that happened after we matured to who we really became.
May God bless your soul and say "hi" to Mom and Dad for me. I know you are at peace!

Rose

74w ago

Richard was a very kind and loving husband to our sister, Auntie Lucy. He was also the kindest son-in-law to Inang and Tatang, our late parents. He petitioned Lucy’s parents and siblings to come to the U.S. We are forever grateful for what he has done for our family and will surely miss him.

Rose, Jon, Roseanne, Ruel, Rod Jr, Norma

74w ago

Sent a Sentiments of Serenity Spray to the LaVigne family.

This standing floral arrangement blends white roses and delicate blooms for a special occasion.

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Beth Buehrer

54w ago

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