James W Lavigne

June 22, 1945 - May 5, 2022

May 5, 2022. Age 76. Beloved husband of the late Laura. Wonderful father of David (Lydia) Lavigne and Matthew (Emilee) Lavigne and amazing grandpa of Anna, Noah, and Rose. Dear son of the late Wilfred and the late Elizabeth (Stieber). Jim was born in Maryland but spent the majority of his life in Michigan. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan, graduating from Austin Prep High School and went on to the University of Detroit, where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. He met Laura by asking her to dance and they never stopped. They were married in 1971 and had almost 50 years together. He worked as an attorney, practicing family law and building lifelong relationships with his clients and business partner. Jim had an affinity for travel. He would go on many tropical adventures with Laura (St. Maarten, Aruba, Mexico or cruises), renting cars and taking a carefree attitude, sometimes even floating out to sea and needing to be rescued by lifeguards. He was always up for family trips (and even with his son’s friends), going to Disney, the Frozen Four, California, Arizona, England, or even Australia and New Zealand. Jim loved bowling, being a DLS Dad’s Club member, Detroit sports, gardening, his neighbors, friends, powdered sugar, being with his family, attending events of his grandkids, and was very generous. If you had a hobby, he wanted to hear about it. If he met you, he’d remember where you went to High School, where you lived, and who you grew up with. He was always building relationships, making connections that lasted a lifetime. He briefly fought leukemia, before peacefully passing. He will be missed by all those who knew him, especially his family. Visitation will be on Monday, May 9th, from 3:00-8:00 pm at Wujek Calcaterra in Sterling Heights. A funeral will be on Tuesday, May 10th at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sterling Heights. He will be in-state at 10:30 am and mass will begin at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to Austin Catholic High School, Macomb Center of Performing Arts, De La Salle Collegiate High School, or to the charity of your choice.