Richard Lavalette Sr., 77 of Mooresville, North Carolina, died Sept. 16, 2026, after a prolonged illness.

Known as Buddy to his family and friends, he was born Nov. 15, 1948, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and grew up in neighboring Agawam, where he graduated from high school in 1966. Following graduation, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Army. He then embarked on a three-decade career with the phone company, first as a technician for New England Telephone and then for AT&T before joining the "Baby Bells" as a telephone lineman. His aptitude for fixing things extended to home, where he was as capable of repairing a car or plumbing problem as he was doing woodworking or gardening. He spent years playing high-level competitive softball and then coached youth baseball, enjoying both the competition and teaching while passing down his love of the game to young players. 

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Charlotte (Cooley); three sons: Richard Jr. (Lindsay), of Mooresville, North Carolina; Christopher (Melissa), of Denver, Colorado; and Cory (Barbara), of Raleigh, North Carolina; grandchildren Izzy, Brodie, Ryder and Trey; and two sisters, Genie Milillo (Nick), of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, and Valerie Armitage, of West Springfield, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Josephine. 

There will be a Memorial Visitation 12:30-2:30pm on November 12 at Toomey-O'Brien Funeral Home followed by 3pm Committal at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.