RUSSELL LAVAN

Russell is one of three sons born in the Bronx to Thomas and Margaret (nee Lehanka) Lavan. Russ lived in the Highbridge section of the Bronx until moving to Carmel in 1965. In Highbridge, he attended Sacred Heart Grammar School. Then he went to Cardinal Hayes High School and later graduated from Manhattan College.
 
While attending high school and college, Russ worked as a vendor at Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds. In college he worked evenings at Hoffman Soda Company making soda, at an insurance company and then the US Post Office at Christmas time. In the evenings, he also worked at the Federation Bank and Trust Company in the Personnel department where he was responsible for the Bank's Payroll. Upon graduating from Manhattan College, he continued to work at Federation Bank as an auditor. It was at the bank that he met the 'love of his life’ Patricia O'Byrne. He went on to work for a Business Consultant and, in 1962 International Business Machines from which he eventually retired thirty years later.
 
At IBM, Russ started in the Personal Property Tax department, where he became Supervisor in 1965. He was responsible for the timely filing of all of IBM's Personal Property Tax returns throughout the country. From there he went into the Systems department where he developed many various systems, for example: - Measured impact of closing plants and offices on a community. - Transportation modes of different cities in the world. - Gift program - where surplus or obsolete lab equipment was donated to needy colleges and universities. - System availability - Measured the availability of different systems at a facility and what caused them to become unavailable. - Equal Opportunity system - set up goals and timetables for advancement of minorities and women. - Patent System - developed programs for IBM's US patent system. While working in the Education Department, Russ developed computer courses on different subjects. In Buenos Aires he presented a course for all of South America countries. The course material was printed in Spanish and accepted by all delegates.
 
In 1962, he had married Pat O'Byrne in Incarnation Church (in Washington Heights) and lived on Shakespeare Ave. in the Bronx where they had two daughters, Patti and Jeanne. After moving to Carmel in 1965, they had two more children, Eileen and Russell. They have eight grandchildren. In order of appearance they are: Liam, Jack, Logan, Paige, Lauren, Jenna, Jordan and Audrey.

In Carmel, Russ became very active in the Holy Name Society of St. James the Apostle in Carmel. He was also a charter member of the Brewster Ancient Order of Hibernians chapter, as well as Past President. While their children were attending St. James Elementary School, Russ was very involved with the St. James Parents' Guild and became President.

For the Parents' Guild, he ran various fund raisers including dances (square and round), annual picnics, as well as Nights at the Races. During these years, he also volunteered as an EMT with the Carmel Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Russ and his wife, Pat,  joined the Emerald Association of Putnam County in 1994. They have chaired many Christmas parties, both have worked on the Annual Feis in Putnam County Park and, at various times, each has served on the Executive Board. In 2002, Russ and Pat were named 'Emeralds of the Year' at the Annual St Patrick's Day Dinner Dance and both are still enjoying their Irish heritage and culture.

Russ is also a charter member of Our Lady of the Lakes Council of the Knights of Columbus in Carmel. It was formed in 1971 in the basement of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Carmel. Starting with Financial Secretary, he held many officer positions. For the Knights, he ran many dances and picnics as well as a book drive for prisoners at Green Haven Prison. He also ran a fund raiser for a family that was trying to adopt a Korean orphan. In addition, he worked on and ran Christmas parties for special needs children as well as starting the Councils first free-throw basketball tournaments for children. Russ instituted the first Knights of Columbus Blood Drive and ran it for several years.  He also initiated and ran a number of tail gate parties at West Point.

In 2003, when the Knights needed a Representative for the St. Patrick's Parade committee, Russ volunteered and has been proud to serve as their delegate each year on the Parade Committee. 

No. Westchester / Putnam St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 937
Mahopac, New York 10541

Email: info@SaintPatricksDayParade.net


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