Obituary of Charles W. Lavin

Charles W. Lavin, 80, of Red Bank was called home to eternity with his family by his side on Friday, May 3, 2024.  The very first gift his mom and dad gave to this world, Butch was born in Seattle, WA and was the first child of Charles and Elizabeth (nee Dwelle) Lavin.  He was raised in Elizabeth and had lived in Woodbridge before moving to Red Bank in 1999.  Butch owned and operated First Choice Therapy in Hazlet until his retirement.  Prior to that, he worked as an administrator at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC.  During that time is where Butch developed his affection for NYC and his appreciation for the arts, especially going to numerous Broadway Shows.  With true devotion, he was a faithful parishioner of the Church of St. Leo the Great in Lincroft and a former parishioner of St. James Catholic Church in Woodbridge and St. Mary of the Assumption in Elizabeth.  Butch was a loyal member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #253 in Elizabeth.  He had a passion for saltwater sport fishing and always keeping fit.  Volunteerism inspired Butch to become a member of the “Angels Army” with the Where Angels Play Foundation, building playgrounds throughout the country and around the world.   As the first-born Butch led by example to his 10 brothers and sisters.  He was their teacher, counselor, confidant, friend and inspiration.   A loving generous uncle to his many nieces and nephews, his generosity was the stuff of legend carrying over to the next generation of nieces and nephews.  Perhaps his most cherished title was “Uncle Butch”.  After the untimely passing of his dad and namesake Charles, Butch was considered the patriarch of the Lavin family. Known to family and friends as the consummate “Gentleman”.

He is survived by his ten siblings,  Mary Ruth Kelly and her husband, William, Robert Lavin, Elizabeth Jane Beirne and her husband, Daniel, Patrick Lavin and his wife, Kathie, Judith Ann Lavin,  Eileen M. Barbieri and her husband, Robert, Joyce G. Adase and her husband, Michael, William J. Lavin and his wife, Kathy, Jeanne Marie Fontanarosa and her husband, Jay and Timothy T. Lavin and his wife, Alex; and countless nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township, on Monday, May 13, 2024 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 9:00 AM for the procession to his 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. James Church, 94 Broad Street, Red Bank. *Please note the time and location of Mass has changed. Interment will follow in St. Gertrude's Cemetery, 53 Inman Avenue, Colonia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Charles' name may be made to the Where Angels Play Foundation, P.O. Box 670, Oakhurst, NJ 07755 or HERE (a foundation Butch held dear to his heart) For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com .