Obituary of Martin John Lavelle

On Tuesday, July 14, Martin (Marty) John Lavelle, aged 72, passed away in Morristown, NJ, surrounded by family.


He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne (Gauquie); his children, Kevin (Cathleen), Erin, Claire (Maxwell Hoffman), and Kerry; grandchildren Ryan and Jack; brother John (Lynne) and sister Mary Ellen (Bill Kearns); niece Kathleen Kearns and her fiancé Michael Bardo; nephews Brian Kearns, James Lavelle, and Sean Lavelle; and countless friends.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the eldest of three children of Martin & Anne (Noone) Lavelle, both of County Mayo, Ireland. He spent his childhood on 59th Street in Bay Ridge, where he was surrounded by siblings, cousins, and neighborhood friends. Trips to Ireland brought time with extended family.  

He graduated from Redemptorist Seminary, St. Alphonsus College in Suffield, CT, before earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Albany and later receiving his MBA in Finance from Baruch College. 

Marty dedicated 39 years to public service at the Treasury Department, beginning his career with the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and later with the Office of Thrift Supervision, and, ultimately, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Always having a penchant for numbers, he retired decidedly on 7/7/17.

Retirement suited Marty. He found joy in the simple rhythms of everyday life: tending to the home and yard, caring for the beloved dog Murphy (“the little buddy”), meeting friends for beers, and, above all, making sure everyone around him was taken care of. 

Marty embraced life with enthusiasm and gratitude.  He loved to travel and fondly recalled summers spent at the Jersey Shore, winters skiing with friends, family vacations to Vermont and Disney, and weeks spent in San Diego visiting Kevin, Cathleen, Ryan, and Jack. Most recently, he enjoyed exploring Europe with Jeanne and Kerry, and he was already planning his next adventure.

Marty believed life was meant to be lived fully. He worked hard, loved generously, laughed often, and found joy in the people around him. He carried his Irish Catholic upbringing into every aspect of life - living humbly, serving others selflessly, and giving freely of himself to his family and friends. He found humor in everyday moments and brought warmth and kindness wherever he went.

Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, July 21 from 3-7pm at the Dangler Funeral Home in Morris Plains. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 22 at 10am at Assumption Church in Morristown. (For those that cannot attend the Funeral Mass physically, you may watch it via Assumption Church's Website livetream: www.assumptionparish.org/livestream-mass.) 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Morristown Medical Center.