Richard Arthur Lavallee, 89, of Port Orange, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2022 in Port Orange, Florida surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 12, 1933 in Linwood (Northbridge), Massachusetts to the late Arthur and Aurore (Auclair) Lavallee.

Richard was a dedicated and loving husband and father best known for his giving spirit, helping others, love of God and his family, and his hard work in whatever job or activity he performed.

He began his education in the local Church of the Good Shepherd Elementary School in Linwood, continuing at La Salette Seminary in New Hampshire. He graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1951 and received his bachelor's degree from Assumption College in Worcester, Class of 1955.

He married his high school sweetheart, June (Munyon) Lavallee in St Mary of the Assumption Church in Milford days following his graduation from college. Shortly thereafter, he was called to active duty in the US Army. He went to Germany to serve his country during the cold war, and he received the 9 ^th Infantry Division Certificate of Achievement for his work as Acting Regimental Sergeant Major and for which he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Following his military service, he began his work career in the retail business in North Miami, FL.  Later assignments as General Manager took him to Puerto Rico, Winter Park, FL, Jacksonville, FL, and Montgomery, AL.  He transitioned to a second career from which he retired as General Manager for a large insurance company in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Richard was fluent in French, ancestral language, and Spanish which he learned at the Berlitz Language School in San Juan. He served as president of several business associations in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Montgomery, AL, as well as President of the Insurance Manager's Association in Broward County, FL. He received the Chartered Life Insurance Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA.

Richard was a lifetime Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. In his children's school years, he was instrumental in forming a parents group supporting academics and sports at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, FL and was a member of the Board of Directors at Montgomery Catholic High School in Alabama.  In 1995, he received the "Lizzie Award" in recognition of his volunteer service to Covenant House in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He was member of the President's Council of Assumption College, his Alma Mater, and served as Chairman of his 50 ^th class reunion. He was a faithful member of the Catholic Church and served actively in church projects at each parish where his family moved to, many times helping to build new parishes. He held leadership roles in many civic and community projects in those communities.  He served 8 years as the Local Coordinator for the AARP Free Tax Preparation program in Port Orange, FL and as a volunteer with the Special Olympics.  An avid reader and traveler, he had much interest in world and US history, geography, and genealogy.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, June, his sister Marie (Lavallee) Potter, and brother Paul Lavallee.  He is survived by three sons James (Lynn), Richard Jr., Paul (Tandra), and a daughter Dr. Sharon Lavallee, as well as, grandsons Kirby (Kristina), David (Kathleen), Jesse (Brittany), Daniel (Erin) Lavallee, Alex (Brittany) and Ryan Intriago as well as granddaughter Lauren (Kevin) Tenner and 6 beautiful great grandchildren: Ellie, Charlie, Kaia, and Amelia Lavallee; Reagan Tenner; and Ellie Intriago.

Richard also leaves behind a sister, Betty (Lavallee) Tancrell, and two brothers, Donald (Lorraine) Lavallee, and David Lavallee, and his sister-in-law, Grace Lavallee, and many nieces and nephews.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at Lohman Funeral Home in Port Orange, FL with a Vigil Service starting at 6:30 pm during the Visitation. A Funeral Mass will be held at 8:30 am on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Our Lady of Hope in Port Orange, FL followed by a Graveside Service with military honors at 10:30 am at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery.

The Lavallee family extends our sincere thank you to Richard's caregivers, Shaleena, Nicole, Shannon, Susan, and Julia, for your exceptional love and care during Richard's final years. Also, a special thank you to Troy for your continuous love and support of Richard through the years.