Colonel (Ret) James Kevin Lavin

Colonel (Ret) James Kevin Lavin, of Charlottesville, Virginia died peacefully on March 20, 2023 at the age of 83. Kevin was born in Lawrence, MA, on December 31, 1939, to James Joseph and Rita Irene (Murray) Lavin. Kevin graduated from Central Catholic Boy’s School and went on to attend college at the University of Massachusetts. In 1961, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. In August 1961, he studied meteorology through an Air Force Institute of Technology program through New York University. Kevin met Carol Ann McNeil at a holiday function in the mid-1950s and they later married on December 30, 1961. After he completed graduate school at NYU in mid-1962, they embarked on an exciting 30-year adventure with the United States Air Force. Kevin and Carol enjoyed every assignment and meeting and making lasting friendships. In 1991, they retired at Scott AFB, IL, and moved to Montgomery, AL to a home they owned. Kevin became the National Weather Association Executive Director and Carol helped as a volunteer secretary and in many other church and community activities. In 1994, Kevin and Carol volunteered to Chair the all-volunteer Air Weather Association keeping camaraderie among active duty and retired Air Force Weather personnel. In 2001, they moved to Charlottesville, VA to be closer to family, continuing their Association work and volunteer activities and especially enjoying making new friends. During his military career he received the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal. Kevin will be remembered for his love of family, his strong work ethic, and his drive to continue to make meaningful contributions to local ROTC programs and the military retiree community. He greatly enjoyed being a member of the local Military Officers Association (MOAA) and the Charlottesville Aviation Luncheon Club. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol, his brother Paul, and his parents. He is survived by his son Keith and his wife Roseanne and their three children Craig his wife Jen, Jaime her husband Jarett, and Evan; daughter Karen DeSpiegelaere and her two daughters Emily and Jessica; daughter Kimberly and her son Nicholas Pilipowskyj his wife Rebecca, and their son Colin. A funeral mass and celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish Church located at 401 Alderman Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903. The family will receive visitors at the church before the mass and welcome all to join them at a small reception following the mass. His final interment will be held in a small intimate family ceremony at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choosing. For more information on directions, please see www.stauva.org.