Geoffrey A. (Jeff) Lavaty passed away on Nov. 3, 2025 at his home in Wilton, CT at the age of 86.
Jeff was born in the Parkchester section of The Bronx, NY on April 14,1939 to Frank Lavaty and Olga Martin Lavaty. He moved with his family to Westport, CT in 1951. Westport is where Jeff grew up and got his schooling while making many lifelong friends who now share their sorrow at his passing.
An excellent all round athlete who was always fun to be with, Jeff was “One of the Boys.” He graduated from Staples High School in 1957 having been a star starting guard on the championship Staples basketball team for three straight years and where he earned two nicknames, “Peewee” and “The Nut.” The first one, he physically outgrew, but the second, not so fast.
Jeff went off to Rollins College in Winter Park, FL from which he somehow graduated in 1961 after doing his best to enhance Rollins reputation, at the time, as a first class party school. Following graduation, Jeff served for two years in the US Army at Ft. Dix and Camp Drum. Upon discharge, Jeff moved to New York City and began his long career with an introduction to the advertising and marketing field by selling radio time. He later partnered with his Father, Frank, in establishing Frank and Jeff Lavaty & Associates, headquartered at 51st and Park Ave, as the predominant firm that represented many of the world’s top commercial artists and illustrators, many of whom are familiar names in the greater Westport area.
In the late 1960’s Jeff met the love of his life, Ebba Von Koch. They married in 1968 and established residence on New York’s upper east side, and soon after acquired a weekend home in Wilton, CT which would become their permanent home several years later.
Outside of his business, Jeff enjoyed many activities. He was a lifelong talented oil painter, displaying his work in local galleries, public buildings and friends’ homes. He was a skilled pool player, an avid freshwater fisherman, a dyed in the wool NY Giants, NY Knicks, Fats Domino, Pavarotti, Cabernet Sauvignon fan and a long-suffering golfer along with a long list of great friends from Longshore in Westport, Silvermine CC in Norwalk, and frequent and memorable golf trips to Florida and New England with his buddies.
Jeff leaves his wife of 57 years, Ebba Lavaty, his sister, Judy Strauss and her husband, long time close friend, Jeffrey Strauss, his sister Jane Cooke and her husband, Donald, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Jeff will be best remembered by the numerous hilarious stories of his unbelievable adventures, wild escapades and unpredictable, but fun, behavior that his friends will enjoy reminiscing about whenever they get together.
All services will be private.
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