Alan Thomas Lavery Sr.
WWII Navy veteran, active in church and community
Alan Thomas Lavery Sr., 93, of West Amwell, N.J., passed away on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, surrounded by his treasured family.
The Funeral Mass will be offered on Friday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 44 Bridge St., Lambertville, N.J. 08530. Interment with U.S. Navy honors will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Washington Crossing Nation Cemetery, 830 Highland Ave., Newtown, Pa.
Calling hours are Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. until departure for church at the Van Horn-McDonough Funeral Home, 21 York St., Lambertville 08530 (vhmfh.com).
Born in Glen Ridge, N.J., Alan grew up in Bloomfield, N.J., and graduated from Immaculate Conception High School. After his U.S. Navy service in World War II, he earned his degree at Seton Hall University. He lived in Madison, N.J.
Following his marriage to his beloved wife, Judy, the newlyweds settled in West Amwell where they raised their family. In the U.S. Navy during World War II, Alan proudly served in the Armed Guard as a Radioman Third Class SV6 in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean. He served aboard the USS General McRae, merchant ship, MM Guhin, and the SS Quebec. For his service, Alan was awarded the Victory Medal, American Theater Medal, European African Middle Eastern Medal with one star, and the Asiatic Pacific Medal.
Prior to his military service, Alan worked for the U.S. Postal Service and for the Walter Kidde, Corp. Following his Naval service, Alan worked for the state of New Jersey at Grey-stone Park Hospital, and later with the Public Defender/ Public Advocate's Office, retiring after 34 years of service.
Alan was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Lambertville. For many years he served as president and treasurer of the parish's St. Vincent De Paul Society and was the first Grand Knight of the St. John the Evangelist Council 10024 of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Parish's 150th anniversary committee. The Diocese of Metuchen twice recognized Alan's service to the church including the Caritas Award.
He volunteered at the Delaware Valley Interfaith Council Food Pantry, coached in the West Amwell-South County Softball League, and was active with the South Hunterdon Football Booster Club and Band Parents.
Alan was dedicated to his family. His wife, children, and home were his whole world. He had an infectious smile and a willing helping hand.
He is survived by his dear wife, Judith; his children and their spouses, Alan T. and Laura, Timothy F. and Tamara, Amy C. and Bill Zuccarello, and Matthew A. and Kimberly; his granddaughters, Keeghan, Shea, and Flynn; his step-grandchildren, Juliana and Gregory Zuccarello; his nephews, Edward (Mary Ellen) and Sean; his nieces, Charlotte Richardson, Megan Smith, and Melissa (Joe) Gorla; sister-in-law, Charlotte Lavery, and Elizabeth Guenther.
He is also survived by grandnieces and grandnephews, James Richardson, Jacqueline Saboka, Patrick, Martha, Bryan, Michael and Daniel Lavery, Benjamin, Margaret, Ian and Samuel Smith and Joseph, Christopher and Vincent Gorla; four great-grandnieces, and one great-grandnephew, and his "other" son, David Fry. Alan was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Martha McCourtney Lavery and his brothers, Edward and Gilbert Lavery.
Donations in Alan's memory may be made to the DVIC Food Pantry, PO Box 705, Lambertville, N.J. 08530 or to St. John's Outreach Ministry, St. John the Evangelist Church, 13 N. Main St., Lambertville, N.J. 08530.