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BORN
1933
DIED
2026
Thomas LaValle Obituary
Tom earned a BA in English from Blackburn College and an MA in English from Claremont College, and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He taught English at Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where he chaired the English Department for 25 years, developed a nationally recognized composition program, and received the Lloyd Ashby Award for excellence in teaching.
In the early 1970s, Tom discovered Block Island, Rhode Island, where he built a summer home and vacationed for more than 40 years with his family. He loved the island air, sea, and community, spending several summers working for Tiny Sprague at the lumberyard.
Tom is survived by his wife, Carol; his daughters Heather LaValle, Melinda LaValle, and Abigail LaVallee; Abigail's husband, Robbie Wilson; and granddaughter, Grace Wilson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Block Island Conservancy.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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