Obituary of Ivan J. Lefevre

Ivan Joseph Lefevre, 88, of Forestport, NY, passed away on September, 13, 2023 at his Kayuta Lake front home, with his loving wife and daughters by his side, holding him. Ivan was born on October 25, 1934, the third child of Leonas “Pete” and Claribel (Shufelt) Lefevre. He was educated in Rome schools. Ivan met the love of his life, Germaine E. Mead, at 16 years old and they were united in marriage on January 24, 1953, in St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church in Rome. A happy union of 70 years.

Ivan was self-employed all of his life. He ran Lefevre’s Garage on Front St., then went into business with Ted Krulinski and opened One Stop on the corner of George and Liberty St. until Urban Renewal claimed the property and he moved to 525 W. Dominick St. He retired from there at the age of 70. Ivan was known as the best front end and wheel alignment specialist in the area.

Ivan and Germaine purchased a home in Frostproof, FL, in 2004, where they spent their winters and met many new friends. In 2008, they sold their home in Rome and moved to their summer home on Kayuta Lake in Forestport.

He was a lifelong member of the Rome Elks Lodge #96, a hunter who loved his hunting camp, and an avid NASCAR fan who went to 60 straight Daytona 500’s, from 1961-2020. He was also a member of St. Mary’s Church.

Surviving besides his loving wife, Germaine, are three beloved daughters, Debora Tuttle (Craig), Denise DeCarolis (Gicamino “Jake”) and Kathy Jo Britton; daughter-in-law, Linda Beckley Lefevre; precious grandchildren, Jason Lefevre (Lindsey), Jennifer Gondek (David), Kara Guy (Gery), Heather Roberts (Cory), Gicamino “Jocko” DeCarolis (Katie) and Tyler Britton; his little sprinkles of life, his great-grandchildren, Thomas, Peyton, Alexis, Ava, Ellie, Abby, Elsa, Ivan,  Brody, Kegan and Remington. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Ivan “Rick” Lefevre.; granddaughter, Joelle Marie Lefevre; son-in-law, John J. Britton; sister, Eunice Lefevre McCormick; and brother, Leonas “Manny” Lefevre.

Ivan’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the ICU staff at St. Elizabeth’s and to Jenna Illingworth, Tabatha Armstrong and Star Ambulance for making his final request to come home possible. As Frank Sinatra always sang, “I did it my way.”

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 22^nd at 6:00 p.m. at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome, NY 13440. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday prior to the service from 3-6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ivan’s memory to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413.

  You may light a candle, send a message of sympathy, and read the obituary at www.nunnandharper.com.