Community leader Ed Lavigne dies at 76

The education community in Tuscaloosa has lost a longstanding pillar of the community. Ed Lavigne passed away in hospice care Monday night.

Lavigne had been fighting a long-term illness after having a stroke earlier this year. He was most recently the chief financial officer for Tuscaloosa City Schools, and spent more than 50 years in education.

“He was just a good friend who will truly be missed,” TCS Board of Education member Erica Grant said.

Friends, co-workers, former students and loved ones are remembering Lavigne on social media and the impact he had on this community.

“The thing that made me the happiest was when we all sat together and prayed,” Brian Winter said. “I said, ‘should we say a prayer, Ed?’ He said ‘yes’ and immediately started out with ‘Our Father.’ So, as the good book says, he ran a good race. He fought the good fight and it was time for him to rest, a good and faithful servant of the Lord.”

Lavigne helped lead Tuscaloosa City Schools through the 2008 financial crisis, the 2011 tornado and the capital financing for several newly built city schools.

He was 76 years old.