Robert H. Lavigne, formerly of Fifth Avenue, Berlin and Ripple Cove Road, Island Pond, Vermont passed away on Sunday January 11th at the St. Vincent de Paul Rehabilitation Center here in Berlin, surrounded by members of his family and his extended family from the home. He was born in Berlin on February 23rd, 1931 the son of Herman Lavigne and Florida Chandronait. He was raised in Stark where he attended a one room school. Upon graduating in 1949 from Notre Dame High School here in Berlin, he enlisted in the Air Force. He enjoyed woodworking, going to the casino with his wife, Anita, Wii Bowling, shopping and cooking. His career path includes managerial positions held at Brown Company and James River paper mills here in Berlin, Irving paper mill in St. George, New Bruinswick, Canada, Milford paper mill in Milford, NJ and Groveton Paper Board in Groveton, NH. Robert was also a goaltender for the Notre Dame Hockey Team from 1947-1949, winning the state championship, and was called “Mr. Zero” as no one could score on him. He was then the goal tender for a short time for the Berlin Maroon Hockey Team. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed many fishing vacations to Canada with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Anita (Lavoie) Lavigne, their 3 children, daughter Patti Berube and husband Larry of Berlin, son Dennis Lavigne and companion Hope Powers of Island Pond, VT and son Patrick Lavigne and wife Lisa (McDow) Lavigne and Goffstown, NH. He was predeceased by his oldest son Rene Lavigne 10 years ago. Robert is also predeceased by his father Herman Lavigne, his mother Florida Hickey and his sister Eula Taylor.
Other members of his family include his grandchildren, Jamie Lavigne of Sugar Hill, NH, Nicholas Lavigne of Nashua, NH, Danielle Lavigne of Guildhall, VT, Christopher Lavigne and companion Kyley Lurvey and daughter Louisia of Gorham, NH, Keesha Lavigne and companion Kyle Humphrey of Island Pond, VT and Gabrielle Lavigne of Goffstown, NH. Step-grandchildren include Melissa Frenette and Tammy Berthiaume of Berlin, NH and Brian Berube of Manchester, NH and Katlyn and Megan Savage of Goffstown, NH, 1 great-grandchild Kaylynn Humphrey of Island Pond, VT.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday January 14, 2015 at 10 Am at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish in Berlin. Interment will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin on Tuesday afternoon and evening from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM.