CARL PALMER LAVO Sr.

CARL PALMER LAVO SR.

Carl Palmer LaVo Sr., 88, of Hampstead, NC, passed away after a short illness on Monday, August 20, 2012 at his daughter and son-in-law's house in Okeechobee, Fla.

Mr. LaVo was born in San Francisco, Calif., on June 15, 1924 to Carl F. and Ivy Canning LaVo.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served for three years in the Pacific aboard the destroyer USS Halford (DD-480). He and his shipmates participated in many engagements with the enemy including the Battle of Surigao Strait in the Philippines during the American landings at Leyte Gulf. Mr. LaVo was employed by Swift & Co. after the war as a salesman and executive in charge of petro-chemical operations initially in the San Joaquin Valley of California, then South Florida, the mid-Atlantic region, the Carolinas and all of Australia. He and wife Irene retired in the 1970s to the home they built in Washington Acres in Hampstead.

He was a member of St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 1 of North Carolina and was a former member of the Rotary Club wherever he lived during his working years. He was also a member of the USS Halford veterans organization, attending many annual reunions.

Mr. LaVo was a consummate fisherman, especially deep-sea trolling, and owned many power boats in his lifetime. He was former commodore of the Ventnor Yachting Club of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Clubs Association and member of the Cape Fear Yacht Club based at Oak Island, NC. In his younger days, Mr. LaVo got the whole family interested in waterskiing and trout fishing on lakes in the Sierra Mountains. Mr. LaVo and his wife, who passed away last January, loved vacationing throughout the world, and visiting with relatives. Both lived very active lives in retirement. Whenever he was with family and friends, one of Mr. LaVo's favorite expressions was, "Let the good times roll."

Surviving are Carl LaVo Jr. (Mary Anne) of Levittown, PA; Joyce Diane Frusterio (Sam) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Debra Jean Cleary (Robert) of Destin, FL; four grandchildren, Kimberly Ann Frusterio Sepe (John), J.P. Cleary (Kami), Brian Frusterio (Heather), and Genevieve LaVo Cosdon (Michael), five great-grandchildren - Samantha Sepe; Brianna, Sophia, and Matthew Cleary; and Dashiell Cosdon; and a sister Bennie Fry of Independence, OR.

A celebration of Mr. LaVo's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 7, 2012, at Hampstead United Methodist Church, 15395 US Hwy. 17, Hampstead, NC, with the Pastor Randy Maynard officiating.

A reception immediately will follow the service at Gary and Kellie Hinrichs home at 204 Battery Lane.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Davis Health Care Center, 1011 Porter Neck Road, Wilmington, NC 28411.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com

Andrews Hampstead Chapel



Online condolences at StarNewsOnline.com