John Michael LaVine, age
73, beloved father, grandfather,
brother and Retired United States
Navy Veteran, passed away
peacefully on Sunday morning,
August 24, 2025, at the Sitrin
Home in New Hartford, where he has
resided these past five years.
Born in Syracuse on February 19,
1952, John was the son of the late
John H. and Sandra (Swindon)
LaVine. He was raised and educated
in Rome and as a teenager worked
alongside his father in his
contracting business. After
graduating with the RFA Class of
1970, John went on to enlist with
the United States Army, which he
served with for two years.
After returning home to Rome, John
went to work with Revere Copper
& Brass but after the company
underwent some changes in 1975,
John re-enlisted in the service,
this time with the United States
Navy. He would go on to have a
long career in the military until
his retirement in 1994 as a
Machinist’s Mate Petty Officer
First Class. During his retirement
years, he worked for Phillips
Lighting in Bath, NY.
John was a proud member of the VFW
and of various American Legions,
with his longest membership at the
John P. Eaton Post 746 in Corning,
NY where he was a Past Commander
from 2005-2006. He was also a
longtime member of the Steczko
Post in Rome, NY.
Aside from his working years and
his social life, John’s first and
foremost priority was always the
well-being of his daughters. He
was their rock and their
stability. As the consummate
provider, he offered them advice
and endless amounts of love, all
while making sure their every need
was met.
Anyone who knew John would say
that he was an incredible person
with an easy-going personality. He
was also a complete jokester who
never took life too seriously! In
his spare time, he enjoyed reading
Westerns and cheering for his
beloved New York Yankees. His
presence will be missed but his
legacy will forever live on in the
hearts of those he leaves behind.
He is survived by his daughters,
Vicki LaVine of Ava and Dawn
LaVine of Rome; his grandsons,
Brice Eastman (Tori Wright) of
Rome and Braden Eastman of Ava;
his step-granddaughter, Lindsay
Allen (Mikael Stapleton) and his
great-granddaughter, Sadie, all of
Horseheads, NY. As the oldest of
eight children, John also leaves
his siblings, Debra (Jack)
Ungleich of Mexico, NY, Michele
LaRoy of Rome, Stephen LaVine of
Rome, Carolyn (Randy) Smith of
Lee, Linda (Alan) Davies of North
Carolina, Sandra (Rick) Stoquert
of Camden and Christopher (Amanda)
LaVine of North Carolina; along
with a host of nieces, nephews,
great-nieces, great-nephews and
extended family members.
Aside from his parents, John was
predeceased by his brother-in-law,
Richard LaRoy.
Friends and relatives are invited
to attend visitation for John on
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 from
3:00PM – 5:00PM at the Barry
Funeral Home, 807 West Chestnut
Street, Rome, NY (315) 337-0055.
John’s funeral service and
Celebration of Life will commence
on Tuesday at 5:00PM at the
funeral home, immediately upon the
conclusion of visitation. Prayers
will be offered by Fr. Sean
O’Brien and full military honors
will be accorded by the US Navy.
In lieu of flowers, for those
wishing to do so, please consider
memorial contributions to the
Disabled American Veterans, 407
East Dominick Street, Rome, NY
13440. Envelopes will be available
at the funeral home.
The LaVine family has entrusted
the care of their beloved father
to the Barry Funeral Home, Nick
Iselo and Marty Ciaccia, Funeral
Directors. Online notes of
sympathy may be left at
www.barryfuneralhome.com.
