Richard Ralph LaValla

1967 - 2024

Richard Ralph LaValla
Richard Ralph LaValla, known to many as Rich, passed away on October 23, 2024, in Greenville, SC, at the age of 57. Born on August 26, 1967, in Stamford, CT, he was a son of Judy Phyllis LaValla of Westport, CT and the late Ralph Vincent LaValla.
Rich had a heart of gold and a spirit that brightened the lives of those around him. A native of Westport, CT, he was a standout athlete at Staples High School, where he excelled in wrestling and earned All-State honors. After attending American University in D.C. for two years, Rich earned a bachelor's degree from Bridgeport University and began his career as a CPA at Coopers & Lybrand in Stamford, CT.
During the early 90s, Rich met his future wife. They dated for a couple of years and then Jodi relocated to Greenville, SC to pursue a new career opportunity. In 1994, Rich followed his heart and also moved to Greenville. The happy couple married in Jodi's hometown of Port Chester, NY in 1998. Being in the South was a cultural adventure and together they built a wonderful life in the Upstate and welcomed two beautiful children.
Once established down south, Rich dedicated over two decades of his career to Echols Oil Company, where he held the position of CFO. After Echols, Rich worked in the world of corporate finance as a consultant at FocusCFO. All at the same time, in pursuit of his true entrepreneurial passion, Rich created his real estate LLC, JAM Ventures. His passion and expertise for property management and renovation was evident and Rich knew no bounds when it came to tackling challenges. He was sharp, dedicated, and ready to expand his knowledge and grow in both his personal and professional life.
Rich was a proud family man and devoted the majority of his time and energy into nurturing his relationships. His welcoming and generous personality came natural to him, and his favorite times were spent hosting loved ones, cooking, and traveling with family. Rich was very wise and always enjoyed offering advice while consistently instilling confidence in his wife, children, and friends to be their very best selves.
Known for his love of sports, Rich was a loyal fan of the NY Mets, NY Knicks, and Miami Dolphins. He also channeled his competitive spirit into playing flag football with his team, the Diehards. He passed this competitive nature on to his two children, who he loved to cheer on and motivate through their own sports endeavors.
Rich will be remembered for his kindness and generosity, his witty one-liners and jokes, and his famous infectious laugh. Not to mention, enough stories to last a thousand lifetimes. He leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, unwavering dedication to family, and traditions.
He is survived by his wife and best friend, Jodi LaValla and their two children, Amanda and Michael LaValla; mother, Judy LaValla; brothers, Mario and George LaValla; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, Gregory LaValla.
A funeral service will be held at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown, 639 N. Main St., Greenville, SC 29601 at 3:00 p.m., Friday, November 1, 2024, with visitation following until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Big Brother Big Sister of the Upstate at www.givebutter.com.
Favorite memories and condolences may be shared with the LaValla family by visiting www.thomasmcafee.com.