RICHARD MICHAEL LAVERY – Obituary
Richard Michael Lavery of Murrells Inlet, SC passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Age 72. Husband of 43 years to Joann (nee Gougon) Lavery. Father of Stacy Dolby, Jason Dolby (Lisa), and Nicoletta Torres (Frank). Grandfather of Annamarie Galloway, Daniel Galloway, Tyler Dolby, Aeden Dolby, Natalia Dolby, Frankie Torres, and Sofia Torres. Brother of Michael Lavery (Laura) and Douglas Lavery (Kathy). Son of the late Robert & Anna (nee Brady) Lavery. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews as well as many friends in Clayton and South Carolina.
Born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Woodbury, NJ, Richard was a resident of Clayton from 1980 to 2014 when he retired to Murrells Inlet, SC. He was a 1969 graduate of Deptford High School and worked for 22 years pouring metal for Urban Casting in Blackwood. After Urban Casting closed, Richard was a Postal Worker in the USPS Philadelphia Distribution Center for 14 years until his retirement in 2014.
Richard was a member of Elks Lodge #2132 in Clayton as well as an associate member of Elks Lodge #2797 in Murrells Inlet, SC. He was also a member of the Surfside Beach Moose Lodge #2351 in Murrells Inlet. Richard was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers and had been a longtime Sunday Season ticket holder to the Phillies. Since moving to South Carolina, Richard has attended mass every Sunday for the last nine years at Saint Michael The Archangel Parish in Murrells Inlet, SC. He has enjoyed playing in two golf leagues and two bowling leagues there as well.
While in high school and later while attending Gloucester County College, Richard played both baseball and soccer. After transferring to Glassboro State College, he played on their varsity soccer team. Richard was instrumental in starting the Clayton Youth Soccer program around 1980 and coached for five years. He also started the soccer program in 1986 at Clayton High School, coaching that team for nine years. During that time, he also coached one year of baseball for Clayton High School. Richard continued coaching soccer with three years as the JV coach at West Deptford High School followed by twelve years as the JV coach at Glassboro High School. He also coached softball for five years during that same time with Glassboro High School.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Monday, December 4, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME, 208 Maple Street, Clayton, NJ 08312 with a Celebration of Life beginning at 12:00 PM. Sign the guestbook at BarclayFuneralHome.net.