John P. Lefavour, 77, Laconia, died on March 14, 2010. A resident of the Taylor Community in Laconia, New Hampshire, he previously resided in Franconia, New Hampshire, Hartland, Vermont, and Danvers, Massachusetts.
Born in Salem, Massachusetts on May 6, 1932 he was the son of Harry S. and Marjorie (Pickering) Lefavour and raised in Marblehead. He attended Marblehead schools and graduated from Lawrence Academy in 1951 and Tufts University in 1955 where he was a member of Zeta Psi Fraternity. Mr. Lefavour is related to an old Salem family dating his lineage from the 1600’s including several Salem shipmasters. His mother was related to the Pickering family of Salem and Portsmouth NH. His grandfather established Lefavour’s Music House in 1873, which was located on Essex Street Salem, MA until 1970. He worked in the family business and Tufts University Schools of Medicine in the Office of Alumni Relations as Associate Director in Boston, MA. from which he retired. He finished his career as Executive Officer for the Hanover-Lebanon and Windsor County Boards of Realtors based in Hartford, VT being the only Realtor executive in U.S. serving boards in two states. He was a lifelong advocate of volunteering and community service considering it a privilege to serve. He was active in numerous civic activities on the North Shore of MA serving on board of the Boy Scouts Council; founding Boy Scout Troop 37 Danvers; President of The Salem Family Service; was instrumental in establishing North Shore Children’s Friend and Family Service and served as its first vice president; member of Calvary Episcopal Church, Danvers serving in many positions. He was a former member of the Appalachian Mountain Club and a member of the 4000-foot Clubs of New Hampshire and New England. He specially enjoyed the White Mountain area, hiking, reading WWII history, and canoeing.
He enjoyed meeting and helping people and his profession of association management. Mr. Lefavour was known by hundreds of Tufts medical and dental alumni. Alumni considered him an encyclopedia of alumni. He was honored by receiving a service citation from the Tufts Alumni Council and being named a Melvin Jones Fellow by the Franconia Lions Club. Mr. Lefavour served as chair of the Trustee of Trust Funds and was a member of the Conservation Commission for the Town of Franconia. He served for many years as chairman of the Lafayette Lions Health Aids and as past King Lion. He found great solace in the White Mountains and appreciated living in such beautiful surroundings.
He leaves his wife Winifred, two sons, B. Dexter Lefavour of Middlesex, VT and Clark W. Lefavour of Southboro, MA, a daughter, Jennifer L. Rossignol of Orlando, FL, a stepson, Walter C. Gillis of Londonderry, NH, a stepdaughter Faith E. Miller of Belmont, NH., and several grandchildren and nieces.
Following cremation, private burial will be in Beverly, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Lefavour’s honor may be sent to the Lafayette Lions Club, PO Box 575, Franconia, NH 03580 or to Taylor Community Sunshine Fund, 435 Union Ave., Laconia, NH 03246.