NORFOLK -- Dale (Butch) Lavigne, 84, a longtime resident of Norfolk, passed away unexpectedly with his family by his side on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11th at the Church of the Visitation in Norfolk with Father Ray Moreau presiding.

Calling hours will be held at the Buck Funeral Home in Norfolk on Friday, April 10th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

The burial will be held in the spring.

Butch was born in Norfolk, NY, on December 27th 1941, to Sylvester and Bernice Casselman Lavigne and he attended Norwood-Norfolk School and was a member of the graduating class of 1960.

Butch married his life-long love Rita King on February 4th, 1961, and they have been married for 65 years.

Butch grew up with his brothers and father at the Lavigne Bros. Garage in Norfolk, NY where he grew his passion for anything with a motor.

Butch decided to continue the family legacy alongside his brothers and worked as a mechanic for the family business until it closed in 2013.

He then went on to become a bus driver at Norwood-Norfolk Central School, known for driving bus 115 and now 176. Butch served 27 years as a Flyer and he was still working up until his passing.

Butch is survived by his loving wife, Rita Lavigne. His legacy is continued through his three daughters, Cheryl Lavigne and Drew Davis, Sue and John Connell, and Natalie and Thomas (Buddy) Fiacco and his son, Doug and Kat Lavigne. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Chad Thornton, Thomas and Paige Fiacco, Jenna and Ryan Harris, Sarah Lavigne and Joe Capuano, and Erica Lavigne. Butch (Papa) is the proud great grandfather of Weston Fiacco. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Barbara Lavigne and brother-in-law, Lloyd King and many nieces and nephews.

Butch was predeceased by his parents and his three brothers who were his best friends: Lloyd (Beaner), Robert (Bob), and Kenneth (Kenny) Lavigne.

Butch was a dedicated family man who emphasized faith, friendship, and solving any problem that needed to be fixed.

Anyone who knew Butch, knew he could be found within a few places: the Dominic Zappia Community Center, the NNCS bus garage, the race shop, at church, or with his family.

Butch was one of the best skate sharpeners and zamboni drivers around and he devoted hours of volunteer time to help the Town of Norfolk keep the arena running so that kids could play hockey and figure skate.

He did not miss a Clarkson hockey game or an Icemen varsity game. As an avid sports fan, he found the most joy in watching his kids and grandkids play sports and help them develop their skills.

Butch was also a hockey coach for many years. He was the personal bus driver to take the Icemen to away games, many times alongside his son and grandson. He also drove the bus for his granddaughters sporting events.

In addition to playing high school hockey and baseball, he played hockey for the Potsdam Pot Bellies, various softball leagues, and the Norfolk Snails firematic racing team.

Butch is a staple in the Norfolk Community. He was an active member of the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department for the past 64 years and helped fix many people’s cars or trinkets at the garage.

Despite all of his devotion to his faith, family, and community, he was also an avid motor head. Butch spent many years with the Hemi-Cuda racing team.

He was the problem-solver for the team and he, as well as his wife and children, spent many weekends at race tracks all over the East Coast. Along the way, Butch made many lifelong friends in the racing community.

Most recently, Butch impacted many children and the Flyer Pride community by serving as a bus driver.

He was known for telling good jokes to his coworkers, making connections with the students, and for being a positive light to everyone around him.

Butch was proud to be able to help not only his own children but any who rode his bus.

Butch was truly one of a kind. Butch lived for others and he loved doing life right beside his person, Rita.

He fought and beat cancer and never gave up his fight for his family defying the odds.

The family would also like to express their most sincere gratitude and appreciation for the phenomenal physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and support staff for their vast knowledge, exceptional care and unremitting compassion during Butch’s recent hospitalization in the Critical Care Unit at Potsdam’s Rochester Regional Health.

The family would like to ask all to please put a hockey stick outside of your house in remembrance of Butch and to take a drive by the Norfolk arena in honor of him.

Memorial donations can be made in Butch’s name to the Norfolk Community Center Association in care of Duane Carson at 3176 CR 49, Norfolk, NY 13667.

Butch would want us all to keep fighting for the arena to stay open for the children of the community.

Memories and condolence may be shared with the family at the www.buckfuneralhome.com.

The Buck Funeral Home of Norfolk is serving the family of Dale (Butch) Lavigne