Lloyd L LaValley

Mr. Lloyd L. LaValley, age 86 of Potsdam, NY passed away on Friday, March 3rd at the Canton Potsdam Hospital where he had been a patient since February 23th. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, March 9th at 11 am at St. Mary's Church in Potsdam, NY with Rev. Stephen Rocker celebrant. Friends may call at the Garner Funeral Service on Wednesday, March 8th from 2-4 and 7-9. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Potsdam Humane Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Garner Funeral Service, Potsdam, NY. Online condolences can be sent @www.garnerfh.com.

Lloyd is survived by his sons Randy (Penny) LaValley of Colton, NY; Rick LaValley of Bergenfield, NJ and Allan (Taneshia) LaValley of Winthrop, NY; a sister Beverly (Leroy) Schwardfigure of Massena, NY; grandchildren Sarah (Dirck) Hartmans, and Dustin, Taylor, Blake and Rylan LaValley; a great grandson Dirck Hartmans IV and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; his brothers Carl, Harold and Alfred LaValley and sisters Ida Jones and Thelma Knott.

Lloyd LaValley was born on July 30, 1930 in Norfolk, NY to the late John LaValley and Genevieve McDonald. The family moved to Potsdam in 1932. He attended the school house on Perrin Rd in Potsdam and later graduated from Potsdam Central School in 1948. He attended trade school for a couple of years after graduation where he learned to be a mechanic. He then entered the United States Air Force and served from April 23, 1954 until his honorable discharge on November 19, 1957. While serving, he was stationed at the home of the USAF Thunderbirds, Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, NV as an aircraft mechanic on the F-86 Sabre Jet. When he returned home to the North Country after his honorable discharge he worked as an auto mechanic and an electrician for a few years until he went to work for the United States Post office. He married Joyce Smith on May 25th 1963 at St. Mary’s church in Potsdam. He was a mail carrier from 1960 until his retirement in 1990. He then worked for Snell’s TV and Appliance for a few years and then went to work for his son at LTI for the next 20 years. He was a staple of the LTI community, his dedication and quick wit was beloved by all. He rarely missed a day of work and was currently working right up until last week when he became ill.

Lloyd was a communicant of St. Mary’s church in Potsdam for nearly 80 years. He was an altar boy in his youth and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for nearly 40 years. Like his father, he was a 4th degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.

Lloyd was an aviation enthusiast. At the age of 9 years old in the summer of 1939 a biplane crash landed on his family’s farm in Potsdam. He would sit in the cockpit for hours and dream of flying someday until the plane was repaired and removed from the property that fall. From then on, he loved airplanes and flying. He eventually trained and earned his pilot’s license in the 1970’s. His son Randy LaValley followed in his father’s footsteps and is also a pilot. Lloyd’s 15-year-old granddaughter Taylor LaValley currently takes flying lessons and will be a third-generation pilot. In addition to flying, Lloyd loved to read and take care of his cats. Lloyd had an unbelievable memory and frequently told stories from throughout his life and many historical facts, when his facts were questioned and verified on the internet he has yet to be proven wrong. He appreciated hard work and instilled that value in his son’s by the example he set. He was loved by all that were fortunate enough to know him.

Old pilots don’t die they just get new wings.