Passing of Steve Lavoie

[gsphonos]

Steve Lavoie, of Yucaipa, California(tuberecuds on this forum and tubehawker on ebay), passed away this morning after a 14 month illness. He was one of my best friends for many years, and one of my phonograph "brothers." He was an accomplished Chef, working for a time with Wolfgang Puck, and also a general antique collector, book collector, phonograph collector extraordinaire (he loved his cylinders, but also his "jazzy" diamond disc and Victor (and other) records), history buff, cat lover, and good Christian. He was just 55 years old. Just last week, I visited Steve and brought lunch, his Columbia Q, and some of his favorite cylinders. We enjoyed talking, eating, and listening to those cylinders! Last Sunday he took a turn for the worse, and when I saw him Sunday and Monday, I knew his time was near. I am a middle school history teacher, and I was going to see him this afternoon after school got out. But, that wasn't to be. Our conversations weren't over.....I will miss him dearly. Steve was an active member of GSPS, the Golden State Phonograph Society, and CAPS (now APS). He was unable to attend the APS show and sale last August, due to his illness. That is the first time he did not attend in many years. There will be a memorial service sometime in the near future, but details are not available at this time. The attached picture is of Steve at his APS (APS Phonograph Show and Sale, Buena Park, CA)table a few years ago. Rest in peace, my dear friend!

Mike Sorter
Riverside, CA

[TinfoilPhono]

I'm incredibly sorry to hear this. I talked with him often at APS shows in the past. It's very sad to learn that he is gone.

[RolandVV-360]

Sad to see a fellow forum member pass on...
If his collection is up for sale, I'd buy a piece in his honor.

Rest in peace...

[phonogfp]

Mike, I'm sorry for your loss and for all of Steve's friends who will miss him.

I can't claim to have known Steve, but we corresponded on a few occasions and I found him to be enthusiastic and helpful. Again, my condolences to all who knew him.

George P.

[fran604g]

My sincere condolences to you Mike, and to Steve's family.

As both a fellow Chef (Puck was one of the most impressive influences I had as a young Chef 45+ years ago), and talking machine enthusiast, I would have loved to have met Steve. We would've had a tremendous amount in common. God bless him, and keep him.

Best,
Fran

[martinola]

This is very sad news. I've met Steve a couple of times at the APS show and was impressed by his knowledge and enjoyed the conversations very much. God bless him. Thanks Mike for letting us know.

Martin

[gemering]

Back when my own collection was much more extensive, Steve purchased a number of late, hot jazz, electric Diamond Discs from me.
He was a true gentleman.
I'm sorry we never met in person and send my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Rest in peace Steve.

Gene

[Phonofreak]

I bought from Steve on ebay. I bought from him a few times when I was at the CAPS show. He was helpful, reasonable and fair. Condolences to this family, and he will be missed. RIP Steve.
Harvey Kravitz

[marcapra]

My name is Marc Capralis. Steve and I shared a table for several years at the CAPS show in Buena Park, CA. That is me standing behind Steve in the dark blue shirt in the above photo. Since I didn't have the patience to sit at my table for very long, Steve was nice enough to sell a lot of my merchandise for me. Thanks Steve! I will miss you and 55 is way too soon to say goodbye! Marc.

[gsphonos]

Thanks for all of the kind posts and e-mails! I will be printing out the comments to share with Steve's mom and family. As of today (Monday, April 10), plans for a memorial service have not yet been finalized by the family.

Mike Sorter