Obituary of Omer A. Lavigne

– On November 20, 2015, Omer A. Lavigne, 92, after a short but difficult illness, passed into eternal life to join his beloved wife, Jeannette (Ouellette) and his many friends and family in heaven. Omer, formerly of Cayuga Plaza in Cohoes, NY has resided at The Eddy Heritage House Nursing Center in Troy, NY since his recent injury in July of this year. Omer is the son of the late Rose (Ethier) and Alfred Lavigne and, besides his wife, is predeceased by his cherished infants Mary, Betty Jane and Therese and his grandsons Michael and Kenneth Lavigne. He is survived by his daughter Anne Marie Koshchnick and her husband Dave, his son Andre Lavigne and his wife, Jean (Galentino), his three grandchildren, Brian and Christopher Koshchnick and Karen Deanna Lavigne. Omer only received a grade school education at Sacred Heart School in Cohoes, NY, but, at 50 years old, he made sure that he received that GED before his grandson Michael graduated from high school. Omer was proud to have been a World War II veteran and enjoyed the hospitality of the Patriot Flight Organization. Omer was mesmerized by his tour of the war memorials in Washington DC and finally spoke of his time spent in England, France and Belgium. Omer worked hard throughout his life to provide for his family. He sometimes worked two and three jobs to insure they enjoyed a happy life. He was a construction worker for Costello Construction, a Cohoes fireman, a security guard at Macy's in Colonie, the State Bank of Albany and in Albany Medical Center and a parking lot attendant for Fitz-Inn Parking Concession at the Medical Center. As a lifelong resident of Cohoes he was actively involved in his community. He sang in the St. Joseph's choir and was an usher at that church. He sang with the Cohoes Senior Center Chorus, The Silvertops, and provided much enjoyment to adult homes throughout the Capital District. He also was a member of the Hendrick Hudson Male Chorus of East Greenbush and sang in many concerts and "massed concerts" throughout the years. He volunteered at the Cohoes Community Center at both their Thursday afternoon and their Saturday night Bingo. But his most rewarding and enjoyable volunteer work was feeding his "kids" at the Cohoes Community day care program. They will miss his "beep, beep" as he entered the room. An avid crafter he shared his holiday and seasonal plastic canvass with his friends, caretakers and strangers alike. The highlight of each week was attending Friday Night Fish Fry at his brother, Larry's house. All of his brother's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved and doted over "Uncle Omer". Omer was loved by all for his joyful and giving personality; Which is no wonder he quickly won over the hearts of the staff at The Eddy Heritage House Nursing Center. The family would especially like to thank Janet Foster of the Cohoes Community Center for seeing that Omer ate as well as his kids in the years following his wife's death. An extra special thank you to his new family, the staff at The Eddy Heritage House Nursing Center in Troy, NY. They embraced dad and helped him and us through this most difficult of times. Finally we would like to thank Hospice of Rensselaer County for providing a dignified passing and guiding us all through this process. Funeral Tuesday 11:00am at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Vliet Blvd., Cohoes where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Waterford. Relatives and friends may call at the DUFRESNE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 216 Columbia Street, Cohoes on Monday from 4 to 7pm. Those who wish to remember Omer in a special way may make a donation to the Cohoes Multi-Service Senior Citizens Center, Inc., 10 Cayuga Plaza, Cohoes, NY 12047, the Heritage House Activity Committee, 2920 Tibbits Ave., Troy, NY 12180 and the Cohoes Community Center, 22-40 Remsen Street, Cohoes, NY 12047.