Obituary of Brian Lavan

Brian Lavan of Queens, New York, left us on December 8, 2022 after a brief battle with cancer. Born and raised in Huntington Station, New York, he was the son of the late Dave and Kathy Lavan. Brian loved his family, the Mets, guitars, music, and hats, not necessarily in that order. He was a talented musician, and a brilliant, kind, funny, and genuine person with a sharp wit. He adored his nieces and nephew.

Brian began a music career playing with Huntington-based bands Vital Signs, Column 13 and the Scofflaws, before giving it up for a day job climbing phone poles. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the phone company, and the colleagues and good friends that he worked with, along with the crew from Kelly’s Bar. Since retiring from the phone company, he had started playing music again, gigging with old and new friends, delighting in catching up with old friends, and making his own recordings. His latest Irish goodbye comes much too soon.

Always fond of spending time with his nieces and nephew, he was a roller coaster buddy, performance fan, floatie pal, board game player, and height debater. When the pandemic hit, he carried a gift-wrapped noisy, jangly toy around in his car for months (even saving it after a car crash) until he could see his niece and give it to her in person.

Brian is survived by his siblings, Noreen, Rev. Mike, Patty and Sean Lavan, sister-in-law Nereida Lavan and his beloved nieces and nephew, Kira Rivera, Gabe Rivera and Breanna Lavan, who will all miss him terribly.

In lieu of flowers, please make gifts in Brian’s memory to World Central Kitchen.