Dr. Michael Ernest Lavigne Jr.

1942 - 2024

Dr. Michael Ernest Lavigne, Jr., 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Slidell, Louisiana on April 4, 2024, surrounded by his family, after a full life and a quiet battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on August 28, 1942, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Michael Lavigne, Jr. was the eldest of five siblings and grew up in the city's 7th Ward. He graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1960, then pursued Electrical Engineering at Louisiana State University and the University of California, Los Angeles. Switching to medicine, he earned his MD from UC San Francisco after completing his master's in Bio-Radiology at UC Berkeley. In 1971, Michael married the love of his life, Carol Ann Adey, in Lake Tahoe. In 1978, he established his Internal Medicine/Gastroenterology practice in New Orleans, later moving to Slidell while maintaining his commitment to both communities. Throughout his career, he also served at various medical institutions, notably becoming the first African American president of the medical staff at Hotel Dieu Hospital- now University Medical Center New Orleans, LCMC. Dr. Lavigne's compassionate care endeared him to generations of patients over his four-decade career. He cherished his 53-year marriage, valued family adventures, and shared passions such as fishing, running, and dancing. Active in his community, he was involved in organizations like The STAGGS and The Bunch Club, and enjoyed cultural events. He was also a devoted parishioner St. Genevieve Catholic Church, where he served on multiple committees. Preceded in death by his parents, Michael Ernest Lavigne, Sr. and Dorothy Ann Balthazar Lavigne, and three of his siblings, Larry Lavigne, Ann Lavigne and Aaron Lavigne. He is survived by his wife Carol Adey Lavigne, his children Michelle Lavigne Martinez (Jose), Michael Ernest Lavigne, III (Anne) and Justin Robert Lavigne, grandchildren, Sydney Lavigne, Michael Ernest Lavigne IV, Dominic Martinez, Simone Martinez and Collins Andollina (Shannon), brother Raymond Nathaniel Lavigne, Sr., niece, Kristin Lavigne Drake (Robert), nephews, Raymond Nathaniel Lavigne, Jr. and Robert Ignatius Lavigne (Erica), grandnieces and nephews, extended family, colleagues and friends. Donations in his memory may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please visit www.honakerforestlawn.com to sign guestbook. Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.