Obituary of Jerome M. Lavanish

Jerome (Jerry) M. Lavanish passed away Friday, June 16th, 2023, at the age of 83 after a long illness. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1940, Jerry dedicated much of his life to his lifelong interest in chemistry, earning his bachelor's degree from Case Institute of Technology and a PhD in Chemistry from Yale University. A gifted scientist, Jerry enjoyed a long career in research, first at PPG Industries in Barberton, Ohio and later at American Cyanamid in Princeton, New Jersey, where he worked as a chemist in the development of agricultural herbicides and pesticides. Jerry loved gardening, crossword puzzles, and reading about history, and is remembered fondly for his trombone playing and his sense of humor. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Anne and Andrew Lavanish, and his sister Karen James. He is survived by Virginia, his wife of 57 years, two children, Margaret (53) and Matthew (51), and three grandchildren, Nelson and Andy Nelson and Asher Lavanish. At Jerry's request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. The family welcomes donations in Jerry's memory to Welcoming the Stranger, P.O. Box 1156, Langhorne, PA 19047 (http://welcomingthestranger.org), and Wilmington Classical Guitar, 8 Sawmill Rd., Glenn Mills, PA 19342 (http://wilmingtonguitar.org), in lieu of flowers. Arrangements are under the care of the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Ave. Yardley, PA 19067. Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.