Thomas Lavinka

Thomas Lavinka, 84, of Colonial Heights, passed away on Monday, February 8, 2010 at Lucy Corr Village. He was the son of the late Andrew and Helen Hydock Lavinka, and was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine F. Lavinka, and a daughter, Mary Beth Lavinka. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Mr. Lavinka was a proud graduate of Penn State University. He was a veteran in the United States Navy having served during World War II, he was a retired Standardization Manager for the Defense General Supply Center, a Past Commander of the Colonial Heights American Legion Post #284 in 1996, and Past Chef deGare of the Forty and Eight, Voiture 1530 in 1998. He is survived by his daughters, Nora Lavinka of Titusville, Florida, Anne Norris and husband, Frank of Titusville, Florida, and Kathleen Wissler and husband, Wayne of Fallston, Maryland; his sons, Thomas Lavinka and wife, Kim of Chesterfield, and John Lavinka of Colonial Heights; grandchildren, Aaron Lavinka, Nathan Lavinka, Frank Norris, Catherine Norris, Elizabeth Norris, Ryan Wissler, Allison Wissler, and Alexa Lavinka. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 12, 2010 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 151 W. Washington Street, Petersburg with Father Steve Antes, Celebrant, the family will receive friends on hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Petersburg. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. An American Legion Service will begin at 6:30 p.m., and a Christian Wake service at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Colonial Heights Fire & EMS, P.O. Box 3401 Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834, or the Forty and Eight Flag Program, 15930 Happy Hill Road, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.