Harry Eugene Lavigne

¬¬Captain Harry Eugene LaVigne of Cumming, Georgia, passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024, at the age of 85. He was born on February 27, 1939, in Waterbury, Connecticut to Harry Eugene LaVigne Sr and Janet Campbell LaVigne. Harry, known as Brud, lived in Connecticut until 1948 when his folks relocated to St. Augustine, Florida.

Brud graduated Ketterlinus High School in May 1956 and moved to Tallahassee, Florida to attend Florida State University. He was a member of the SAE (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) fraternity and graduated FSU in 1960.

Next, he joined the US Navy in 1961 after asking the naval recruiting officer if he could fly jets. After flight training, he was assigned to VAW-11 in Coronado, California and in August 1963 he deployed to Vietnam for 7 months aboard the USS Oriskany flying the E1B. September 1965, he deployed once more for Vietnam aboard the USS Kittyhawk for 9 months, flying the E-2A which was the first for this aircraft. Upon returning to the US in 1966, he was assigned to RVAW110 training new co-pilots for 3 years and retired from the Navy in 1969.

In September of that year he moved his family to Winter Park Florida where he started working for Delta Airlines as a commercial pilot. He moved his family to Miami, Florida and in 1980 transferred to Dunwoody, Ga to finish out his career. Harry flew the DC9, DC8, 727, L1011, and in 1999 he retired as Captain on the 767.

Harry met his wife, Phyllis Jacobitz, in San Diego, California in 1963 and married in July of 1965. They had a son, Bryan and a daughter, Karyn. He loved playing tennis and bowling with his Delta family. He loved to travel and camp in his Motorhome with his wife, children and friends. A couple years before retiring, Harry and Phyllis, moved to The Great Outdoors (TGO) in Titusville, Florida where he took up golf.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry Eugene LaVigne & Janet Frances Campbell LaVigne, sister Janice LaVigne Johnson, Brother-in-law, Charles Leroy Johnson.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Phyllis Marie Jacobitz LaVigne of Cumming, Georgia; son Bryan LaVigne (wife Sherry) of Dallas, Georgia, daughter Karyn LaVigne Brown (husband Jody) of Cumming, Georgia and 6 grandchildren Morgan LaVigne Hill (Daulton), Cody LaVigne (Breanna), Josephine Brown, Kayleigh Brown, Liberty Brown, and Mia Brown.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service at The Great Outdoors (TGO), 144 Plantation Drive, Titusville, Florida 32780 on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 3pm. Visitation with the family after the service in the fellowship hall. Harry will be laid to rest on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 10:00am at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 Us-1, Mims Florida. 32754.

The family will have a celebration of life on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 1pm – 4pm at Newbury Village, 100 Somerton Place, Cumming, Georgia 30040. Bring your favorite story or 2 of Harry, the family would enjoy them.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Mr. LaVigne’s honor to Prison Book Project, 1100 S. Hopkins Ave, Titusville, Florida 32780.

Please share a memory or condolence with the LaVigne Family at www.nationalcremation.com.