Dr. John Francis Lavach
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Dr. John Francis Lavach

  • December 24, 1936 - August 30, 2012
  • Williamsburg, Virginia
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Memories & Candles

“To the Lavach family, In reading my Montclair State Alumni Magazine, I noticed the name "John Lavach" in the "In Memoriam" section. I had am...Read More » ”
1 of 26 | Posted by: Linda Lieder Allocco - NJ

“I just found out today about Dr. Lavach's passing and am so shocked and saddened. What a wonderful professor and a wonderful person. I will never...Read More » ”
2 of 26 | Posted by: Jennifer Magaha O'Looney - VA

“I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Lavach about a year ago, when he taught my Human Development course. He was so vital; so full of joy and...Read More » ”
3 of 26 | Posted by: Stephanie Croke - Williamsburg, VA

“What a great guy! He could make any subject interesting and had such a profound sense of joy and playful sense of humor. He will be so missed by all...Read More » ”
4 of 26 | Posted by: Barbara Banze - Suffolk, VA

“Dear Chris, Thank You! Paul & Diana Lavach ”
5 of 26 | Posted by: Paul Lavach - Ridgefield Park, NJ

“Pat, I am sure you haven't reviewed these messages, but if you do, please contact me on my e-mail when you get a moment, or call. . I need to know...Read More » ”
6 of 26 | Posted by: paul lavach - ridgefield park, NJ

“Pat: I am so sorry to hear this disturbing news. I enjoyed Dr Lavach as a teacher and have enjoyed even more knowing you both as friends. John will...Read More » ”
7 of 26 | Posted by: Greg Stokes - Williamsburg, VA

“John was such an incredible man: he opened his vacation home to me and mine when we came with his wonderful daughter Kim and her family, and he and...Read More » ”
8 of 26 | Posted by: Michele Young-Stone - NC

“Hello, Pat, Sorry to hear the sad news about John. Sorry, I don't get to Williamsburg anymore but have had contact with Mary Adams who phoned...Read More » ”
9 of 26 | Posted by: Tamara Smith - Richmond, VA

“Dear Dr. Lavach, You made our class so enjoyable and valuable. I understand and am able to work well with our school psychology department...Read More » ”
10 of 26 | Posted by: Denise Bassetti McCuistion - VA

“I never knew what a special man my brother was.full of fun,loved to dance.so do i!!.i am devestated over what i missed out on.i always put off...Read More » ”
11 of 26 | Posted by: Loretta Lavach Steele - Riverview, FL

“Dear Papa, I wish you had not passed away. I love you. I remember when you would give me funny nicknames like swamp troll and queen of the worms. ...Read More » ”
12 of 26 | Posted by: Cate Gravgaard - Grand-

“Goodbye, Dr. Lavach, William & Mary just won't be the same without you. I'll always remember your classes, your jokes and stories, your dancing,...Read More » ”
13 of 26 | Posted by: Pam Gamble - Orange, VA

“I remember when I was three (3) years old my papa and I would always do a routine. The routines done at Water Country U.S.A. inspired us. We would...Read More » ”
14 of 26 | Posted by: Ally Gravgaard - Richmond, VA

“John, Diana & I just returned from church. John as you know the universe is my God. That means you will always be! I remember the last words you...Read More » ”
15 of 26 | Posted by: Paul Lavach - Ridgefield Park, NJ

“John, I recall Sunday morning visits when our Dad's got together on Hobart Street in NJ. We were just kids but the memory remains. Time slipped away...Read More » ”
16 of 26 | Posted by: Robert P. Lavach - Tavares, FL

“Words can't express how much I will miss seeing "jflava" show up in my inbox. We enjoyed his classes because you never quite knew exactly what would...Read More » ”
17 of 26 | Posted by: Kat Sidhom-Yarborough - VA

“Uncle John...we will never forget your sense of humor and your willingness to help us over the years...so glad we were able to spend time with you...Read More » ”
18 of 26 | Posted by: Lisa Lavach - Allentown, PA

“Rip uncle john ”
19 of 26 | Posted by: Shawn Oriento - Gaithersburg, MD

“Hadent seen my brother in years but always thought and wish it could have been different.I see now where i get my energy and crazy personality.i am...Read More » ”
20 of 26 | Posted by: Loretta Lavach Steele - Riverview, FL

“Dear John, I have missed having a relationship with my brother over the past years. In the few encounters we had, face to face, we laughed, we...Read More » ”
21 of 26 | Posted by: paul & diana lavach - NJ

“I live in NH, in a place Dr. Lavach loved to go for the great climbing...I loved to hear his stories of his NH trips and loved to watch him listen to...Read More » ”
22 of 26 | Posted by: Tara Korbanics - former student

A big hug of Congrat's from Dr. Lavach - 2007 “Dr. John Lavach was special - a one of a kind professor! We all loved him so much for his willingness to listen, his intelligence and caring, down...Read More » ”
23 of 26 | Posted by: Sharon B. Lyles, Ed.S. - VA

“Tonight I want to tell you all a story of a funny little man. As I stepped into his class for the first time and took my seat and watched this little...Read More » ”
24 of 26 | Posted by: Richard Woody - Richmond, VA

“John is one of a kind. I loved listening to his stories filled with honor us side bars. He always had a terrific level of energy and remained...Read More » ”
25 of 26 | Posted by: Ken Bunting - Gloucester, VA

“Dr Lavach was an amazing professor and always had a funny story or anecdote to help us learn. He was truly an inspiration to me and will be missed. ”
26 of 26 | Posted by: Ellen Davila - Corpus Christi, TX


Dr. John F. Lavach, 75, of Williamsburg, passed away unexpectedly on August 30, 2012. A former member of the U.S. Army, Dr. Lavach served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg from 1956-1958. Following his service with the Army, he received his bachelor's degree in Biology from Montclair State College in New Jersey and his master's degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, also in New Jersey. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Education from Duke University in North Carolina. In 1967, he began teaching at The College of William and Mary School of Education, becoming a well-respected, full tenured professor, where he remained in that position until the present time. Throughout his life, he enjoyed being a private pilot, a musician and mountain climber, but above all else, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 50 years, Pat Lavach; son, Chris Lavach and wife, Noelle, and their children, Haley and Jackson Lavach; daughter, Kim Lavach and husband, Jim Gravgaard, and their children, Ally, Cate and Gigi Gravgaard; and siblings, Louis, Paul, and Loretta Lavach. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 25, at 11:00 a.m. in Matoaka Woods Room in the School of Education, 301 Monticello Avenue. (If attending the memorial service, please park in any of the parking lots surrounding the School of Education. No parking permits are necessary. Once you enter the building, follow signs to the Matoaka Woods Room for the service, followed by a reception in the Courtyard.) In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the School of Education at The College of William & Mary, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187. Please make checks payable to The College of William and Mary Foundation noted in memory of John Lavach, or Heritage Humane Society, 430 Waller Mill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185.