Francis J. Lavin Jr., 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 14, 2021 in Weslaco, Texas. He was the beloved husband of Helen (Shopbell) Lavin and the late Muriel (Breault) Lavin and the former husband of Joann (Diordine) Capps.
Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Francis J. Lavin Sr. and Bertha (Flynn) Lavin.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Francis J. Lavin III, the late Mark S Lavin, Pamela J. Fontaine and her husband Robert, Michelle A. Teixeira, Keith M Lavin and his wife Gerrie Baxter, Chris and Marc Lavin. He was the brother of Margaret Varone and the late John and Billy Lavin. A loving grandfather to Leah Brackett and her husband Adam, Keith Lavin Jr., Tiana Texieira, David Sink, Kristy Garrin and the late RJ Garrin II as well as Maniah Garrin, his dear great-grandchild.
Frank loved his country and was a true American. He enlisted at the age of 17 and dedicated over 40 years to different arms of military service. Frank served in the Korean War as a corporal in the Marines. He proudly served as a Seabee Chief in the Vietnam War. He worked his way up through the ranks earning several service medals and bronze stars. In 1968, he was very proud to be commissioned as a Chief Warrant Officer II, attested by the beaming smile in the photograph attached. After retiring from the Navy, he served as a Sergeant First Class in the Army National Guard for several years.
Frank was a licensed electrician with IBEW Local 99 for many years in Rhode Island as well as in Michigan. In his spare time, Frank loved boating and the sea, collecting coins and books, playing video games, browsing on the computer and especially reading. He and Helen enjoyed visiting their family back in Rhode Island where they purchased a cottage on the ocean.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the main entrance of Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, 301 South Country Trial, Exeter on Saturday, March 19th at 9:45am for Francis’ inurnment with Military Honors to follow at 10 am.