Nicholas Joseph Lavecchia Jr., 96, a lifelong resident of Vicksburg, died Thursday, May 28, 2020, at River Region Hospital.

Nick graduated from Saint Aloysius College in 1941 and served in the United States Navy from 1943-1946. He was a graduate of Coyne Electrical and Radio School and the Milwaukee School of Engineering with a degree in electrical engineering.

Nick was employed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Waterways Experiment Station, Instrumentation Branch, Dynamics Section from 1957-1990.

He had a strong, dynamic voice, having sung in a barbershop quartet and his church choir. Nick was an avid reader. He enjoyed making connections and sharing his knowledge of families in the Vicksburg community.

Nick later cared for his mother until her death in 2002 at 100 years of age. He was a communicant of St. Paul Catholic Church, and prior to his last years at Heritage House Nursing home, he could be found making 5:30 p.m. daily visits to Jesus in The Blessed Sacrament.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas J. Lavecchia Sr. and Dora Alice Medici Lavecchia; an infant sister, Angela, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends. 

He is survived by cousins of the Roesch and Reddoch families of Vicksburg, and the Bongiovani and Medici families of Baton Rouge, La. and Ft. Myers, Fla..

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a private, family Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Paul Catholic Church.

Burial will follow in his family lot at Cedar Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Fisher-Riles Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Jerome Booth, Dan Fordice, Donald Roesch, Nathan Fordice, Chandler Roesch and Brayden Roesch.

Thank you to Dr. Thomas Sligh, Dr. Alfred Windham, Dr. Murray Whitaker and all who cared for him at Heritage House and Merit Health River Region.  

Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, 713 Crawford St. Vicksburg, MS 39180 or Vicksburg Catholic School, 1900 Grove Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183.