Gregory Crawford Lavin, 77, a long-time Genevan who played a role in many civic events, including early efforts to resurrect Linden Street, died Monday, Oct. 12, at Noyes Hospital in Dansville. Greg had been staying at a nursing facility in Hornell dealing with complications from age and an almost decade-long fight with cancer.
Greg, the oldest boy among nine Lavin siblings, lived the life of an iconoclast. An honor roll student at Assumption School and Peekskill Military Academy, he was nominated for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point but was eventually declined admission because of vision issues. Greg went on to be a three-sport athlete and honor student at Colgate University where he was proud to have helped lead student protests of the Vietnam War, which included a takeover of the Dean's office.
After graduation from Colgate, Greg was drafted but refused induction and faced federal charges. The judge at his trial offered Greg conscientious objector status and alternate duty but Greg refused, saying not all war is immoral but his research of Vietnam convinced him that that war was illegal. Greg was eventually sentenced to terms in Leavenworth and Lewisburg federal prisons where he served time while his brother Tom served in Vietnam.
Their story was later chronicled in a magazine article written by their younger brother Chris. The story traced the family's evolution from a conservative military life to a more questioning, less trusting view of government.
In many ways, that was typical of the iconoclastic life Greg lived. He focused on perceived injustice and community service and the needs of others. Though he was by far the smartest of his nine siblings, Greg seldom held a traditional job for too long. He preferred caring for elderly friends to the short stints he did at Seneca Foods or his efforts to reform the Geneva Ambulance services. Greg also had a life-long dedication to investigating the assassination of President Kennedy. Inspired by contact he had had with a CIA officer he met while researching his own trial, Greg came to believe Col. Ed Landsdale, one of the first US military officers in Vietnam, eventually headed the Kennedy conspiracy. Greg recently finished and published a book – Chasing Ed – which can be found on Amazon.
Several years ago, Greg underwent a bone marrow transplant at Strong Memorial to combat cancer. He and his long-time partner and ball-room dancing partner Christine Basile, sold their building on Linden Street and moved to a home in Phelps. There doctors at Strong and Clifton Springs treated him as he finished the book of which he was most proud.
Remembering others from the community
Greg was the son of Thomas and Josephine Crawford Lavin. He was born in Peekskill NY and later moved to Geneva when his father became vice principal of Desales High School there. He is survived by Chris Basile, and seven of his nine siblings including Thomas F. Lavin of Rochester, Folksinger Christine Lavin of Rochester, Edward Lavin of Geneva, James Lavin of Chicago, Mary Slothower Lavin of Rochester, Christopher Lavin of Geneva and Jody Lavin Patrick of Norwell, Massachusetts, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Greg asked that his remains be donated to science. Plans for a family memorial service for Greg and his recently deceased older sister, Louise Lavin Bittleston, will be announced later.
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