The Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) is sorry to announce the passing of industry paragon Rene Lorenzo Lavoie on September 24th, 2019. “Over the past few years we’ve lost many who worked hard and made a difference in this industry,” said NEAFA President John Clark. “Rene would be among those who made contributions both to the companies he worked for and the trade associations he had a passion to represent. While working in the industry with Rene, I found that he was always welcoming and eager to embrace changes that would improve his business and the industry as a whole. He will be deeply missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.”
Reproduced below is Lavoie’s obituary from buhrig.com.
Rene Lorenzo Lavoie, age 78, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly a longtime resident of Newburg, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. Rene was born on Wednesday, July 2, 1941 in Richford, VT to the late Lorenzo Lavoie and Irene Marie (LaFountaine) Lavoie. Rene was the widower of Charity Ann (Wright) Lavoie, whom he married on June 9, 1962, and who died on April 15, 2011. In addition to his parents and wife, Rene is preceded in death by his son, William Lucian Lavoie; and his two brothers: Peter Lavoie and Richard Lavoie.
Rene’s survivors include his wife, Catherine “Eileen” Eileen Knott-Lavoie; his three children: Rene L. Lavoie, II and his wife, Lisa, of Canastota, NY, Amy L. Crisp and her husband, Ron, of Winterville, NC, Marcie L. McCardell and her husband, Michael, of Mechanicsburg; his ten grandchildren: Andrea, Scott, Amber, Gregory, Matthew, Lyndsay, Joshua, Whitney, Amanda, Jason; his four great-grandchildren: Lana, Tyler, Brylee, Kallie; his daughter-in-law, Katherine Lavoie of New York; his five siblings: Stephen Lavoie and his wife, Carolyn, of West Virginia, Shirley Wright and her husband, Larry, of New Hampshire, Mary Thompson of Vermont, Jane Thompson and her husband, Tom, of Vermont, Barbara Lavoie of Vermont; and several nieces and nephews.
Rene grew up in a small farming community in Vermont where he graduated from Richford High School as part of the class of 1959 and from Kansas State University in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in feed technology. He was one of the first graduating students to proudly receive that degree. After graduation, he returned to his roots and dedicated his life to serving the dairy industry. Rene dedicated his life to his career in the feed industry. He loved the smell of cow manure, and always said it “smells like money”. Rene retired from Cumberland Valley Cooperative Association in Shippensburg, after many years of service working as a general manager. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Mechanicsburg and a former member of Our Lady of the Visitation Church in Shippensburg, where Rene did lots of volunteering. He was always giving back to the community and also volunteered with Carlisle Cares and Meals on Wheels. Rene served as past president of both PennAg Industries Association in Harrisburg and Eastern Federation of Feed Merchants. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, where he served as a Grand Navigator. Rene also enjoyed going antiquing with his late wife, Charity, square dancing, making people laugh, cooking, and dining at nice restaurants. The most important thing to him was family. Rene enjoyed spending time with his family and he cherished the memories they made together throughout the years.
Contributions in celebration of Rene’s life can be made to the Diocese of St. Thomas and the Virgin Island, P.O. Box 301825, 29A Princesse Gade, St. Thomas VI 00803-1825, US Virgin Island or to any charity of the donor’s choosing.
Rene’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Rene’s full obituary, view his memorial video, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.