Rev. Benjamin Lavey Dies; La Jolla Episcopal Rector

The Rev. Benjamin Verdier Lavey, rector of St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in La Jolla from 1974 until his resignation in February for health reasons, died of cancer Monday at the Green Hospital of Scripps Clinic in La Jolla. He was 59.

Lavey was a member of the standing committee and the board of directors of Episcopal Community Services, a deputy to the General Convention of the national Episcopal Church, and a trustee of The Bishop’s School of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.

In addition to his church responsibilities, Lavey served as a teacher, educational consultant and recreation supervisor, as well as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve.

He was a member of the La Jolla Rotary Club and served as governor of District 636 in Michigan for Rotary International.

Ordained a deacon in 1951, he served in his first post as assistant in charge of youth work at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Kenosha, Wis. After his ordination into the priesthood in 1952, he became curate of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in New York City.

Before moving to La Jolla, he served as rector of Trinity Church, Chambersburg, Pa., and St. John’s Church in Sturgis, Mich. He was also the first dean of the Cathedral Church of Christ the King of the Diocese of Western Michigan.

Lavey was born in Waynesboro, Pa. He graduated from Juniata College and Nashotah House, an Episcopal seminary in Wisconsin where he received an honorary doctor of divinity degree in 1981 for his work in parish ministry.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Anne, and a daughter, Catherine Anne Lavey, also of La Jolla.

Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at the church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. The Eucharist for the Burial of the Dead will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Cremation will follow, with interment at Nashotah House.

Memorials may be sent to the Father Lavey Memorial in care of the church.