I am a guitar teacher that had the pleasure of working with Michael. He was a talented musician. We worked on numerous styles and types of guitar literature. I had him use a classical guitar of mine so he could embrace that kind of music. Of course he nailed it. I think God was tired of hearing harp music so he found a fine guitarist to liven things up in heaven.

I miss you everyday Mike. Such a wonderful memory sharing his birthday with everyone.

Miss you, Michael.  You were such a sweet person to everyone and I loved how you loved Laura.

I have two pictures of Michael on my dresser, next to two pictures of Laura, and I get to have a moment with both of them every morning as I get ready. Often, it’s a “Hey, Michael, hope you’re doing well today. Hope you’re getting to jam with the (other) greats and see all your loved ones you’d missed.” Always, it is followed by, “Thank you for loving my sister so well and for being such a kind person, we miss you.”

I was away from home for most of the time Laura and Michael were dating, so I didn’t get to hang out with him much. I remember giving him the *hardest* time when he first came over (because I was jealous my sister had found someone to spend more of her time with), and he was a good sport anyway. I’ll never hear The Beach Boys the same way after he told me about the genius of Brian Wilson. I can still see now y he double denim and some floppy hair, and I can still hear his sweet laugh. I remember eating sloppy joes and watching The Parent Trap and him laughing when my sister and I called pretty much every since “iconic.” 

Every day that I talk to my sister, she reminds me of what it was, and is, like to share such deep, such genuine love - the joy and the pain that comes with that. As Laura reminds me, “He is the standard.” Michael taught my sister that she deserves nothing less than the supportive, understanding, goofy, encompassing love he gave her, and it’s a lesson she’s passed on to me, too. 

To quote a favorite movie of mine, “Though I did not [know him as well as I would have liked to], I feel keenly how [his] life has changed the arc of my own forever, in ways I am only just beginning to discover. I wish you all peace.” 

Michael, you are missed every day. To Bob and Sharon, thanks for raising such a wonderful man and for being so welcoming to my sister. To Laura, you know I love you to the moon and back and I’m sending you an extra big hug today. ❤️

To the Lavelle family,
My deepest condolences in your loss. I did not have the opportunity to meet Michael. I know that his parents loved him very much and were very fortunate to be able to take care of him, as only parents can do for their child.

May you find comfort from the love of family and friends at this time.
With love,
Faye Tucker

Sharon every bit of my heart goes out to you and your family during this time. Please accept my sympathy.  May God provide you strength and comfort.  

To the Lavelle Family,

I cannot fathom what you all are experiencing. What I can say in replacement, is my deepest condolences on the loss of you extremely talented and thoughtful son Michael. Sharon is my manager at The College Board and based on who she is, caring, fun, intelligent, and witty; I just know Michael was raised with those exact qualities. You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this time and forever. 

With Love,
Cimone Pray & Family

Mike was such a kind and gentle colleague that I have ever met in my life. I remembered we shared our guitar stories sometimes whenever we met each other in the kitchen at work. He always filled with great smile and  good attitude at  any difficult time. May the lord comfort your grieving heart and bring you peace. 

I met Mike through work at Urban, a fellow Northern VA native, and GMU civil grad. We both started around the same time at Urban. After a few years we bonded over a love for everything guitar and gear related.  We had jam sessions together where we would play each others guitars and pedals, and just rock out for hours. Mike was way better than me, but always so kind and supportive. Any time I would hit a sour note - he would say, wow - that was jazzy, haha.

I know it's cliché to say, but he was truly one of the kindest, most level headed people I have ever met in my life, and I am a better person for having known him. I know he's up there rocking out with all the other guitar legends that died too young.

Michael (Mike around work) worked with us at Urban, Ltd. for more than 6 years and I served as his team leader for that duration.  Starting out with an internship, in late 2016 Mike was young and eager to learn.  It was soon realized by myself and Mike’s colleagues that he was a very kind person with a unwavering steady mood and spirt which proved to complement our team well.  

As Mike graduated, we were lucky enough to also land him as a full time engineer.  Over the course of his earlier years, after collecting more and more experience, Mike took over nearly full control of our team’s house grading plan operation.  It wasn’t a flashy position, but one that required stability, attention to detail, organizational skills and a good attitude.  Mike excelled at all those things.  Moving forward Mike branched out and helped on a number of other projects while also mentoring new staff on the house grading plan team.

The type of engineering performed at our firm can get highly stressful at times due to deadlines, and Mike was always a “cool cucumber” at handling that, even when we had to bear down to get something urgent completed.  Mike would always flash a smile and always had a positive ring/tone to his voice which routinely set the tone of our working relationship on a positive note.

Mike was hitting his engineering stride around the time of the onset of his illness, and like everyone in Mike’s life, it was difficult for us to see its impacts on his ability to function.  After a lengthy time out, it was truly impressive to see Mike come back to work after his initial battle, and perform well at work.  Even when things started going downhill again, seeing the fight and the will to live a normal and productive life was such a strong indication of the tremendous character that Mike possessed.  We miss Mike, but we know Mike is in a better place now, free from pain.  Rest in peace. 

I was lucky enough to grow up with Michael and be a member of his first band, Townhouse. I'll always remember Michael for his kindness, love of music, and goofiness. Michael encouraged me to learn the bass guitar so that together with Bobby, a pianist, we could start a band in middle school. His encouragement seeded my love of guitar that continues to this day. Michael's passion for music was obvious, from his dedication to learning new songs and musical techniques to the home studio he built in his basement for us to practice and record in. But what I'll remember the most is that he always knew how to have fun. During our band practices we spent as much time playing music as we did just hanging out, whether it was watching School of Rock for the 10th time or playing Need for Speed in his basement. Michael, you'll be greatly missed but I know you're up there still making Rock.

Bob and Sharon

My thoughts and prayers are with you the family.  I remember Michael when he was just a little fellow.  I met him thru Max.  He would take Max on his walks and if Max saw me out in my front yard he would pull Michael over to my house for his daily treat.  Michael had no option but to follow Max's lead he just was not strong enough to hold Max back.  Max won out every time.  

With God's peace and love.

Phil

Laura and I are saddened by Michael's loss. We were able to see this remarkable boy grow into Honorable Manhood. We have never known Michael to be without a smile. We will miss Michael's gentle spirit. Laura and I continue to pray for Bob and Sharon and all who loved Michael and will miss him.

sending love for you as you grieve the loss of this precious life. you have been in our thoughts and prayers. may the love of our Jesus overwhelm your tender spirits today. He grieves with you,

huge hugs.
dale and sue hoffmeyer 

In the mayhem of Covid I found myself teaching guitar online. 3 years ago who ever heard of Zoom? I have done my best to embrace "virtual" technology and have found it to be a good way to work with students. Mike was one of my favorite online students. We started in August of 2020. We worked on a plethora of material: Rock, Jazz Classical,  Country, Movie and TV show music. He was always willing to try a different style and would often ask me, "Could we learn....". Notice I said "we". I would often figure out material, specifically for him. He casually pushed me into working on material that was not in my wheelhouse. It was a pleasure to see his progress. I believe his last lessons with me were in late spring of 2021.  We occasionally would contact each other and I confess I should have communicated more often. His time on this earth was way too short. Possibly Heaven needed a fine musician. Rock On Mike!

Michael was such a kind and gentle soul. So many of my early college memories included him, whether it was hanging out with him and our friends, watching The Fresh Prince of Bel Air from the beginning, or all of us spotting him in the Green Machine section at basketball games and cheering him on. Truly such a special and talented human, and he will be very missed. May everyone who knew him and loved him find peace during this difficult time. 

I have been praying for you all from afar. My son, Lawrence Hornbake, is a member of your parish and your Knights of Columbus chapter, and he told me about your incredible loss. I will continue to pray for the repose of Michael’s soul and the consolation of you both and your family.

My deepest condolences and love to Michael's family and friends. May God bring you peace in his beautiful memory. While I did not know Michael, I have the honor of knowing his wonderful mother Sharon who is an amazing, kind colleague and holding her close in my thoughts and prayers. Love to all.

Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and  love at this time of sorrow. Michael's music, generosity, and spirit lives in those he helped and those he met. With deepest sympathy.


For 49 years I have known Michael’s mom.  A few years later Bob entered, wedding bells rung for each of us, and then children followed.  And what a privilege it was over the years to hear all about Michael’s milestones, successes, travels, graduations, music, his love for guitar, bands, scouting, friends, work, etc.,  and then finally his beautiful Laura.  
On Michael’s Facebook page he posts a saying by Paul McCartney “And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.”  Well Michael, you loved, and you were loved, and we were blessed to know you and have you in our lives.  You have taken much love with you on your next journey.  
Play on dear one until we all meet again.  
With love and deepest sympathies to Sharon, Bob, Laura, family and friends.  Kathy and Doug Mancosh

We were fortunate enough to have Michael in our band which is how we met. The moment we began a conversation I sensed something 
very special in his character. There was no ego, only a sincere passion for music and a desire to perform. This was our common bond and I cannot express enough what a pleasure it was to have Michael in our group and to have shared the stage with him. We all agreed that he was the best bassist and the nicest person to have ever been in our band. In over 30 years that says a lot.  Thankfully, I was able to express those feelings to Michael a few weeks ago. Robert, Sharron, and Laura,  my heart goes out to all of you during such a difficult time. A person with such a presence certainly leaves a huge void but I truly believe he feels your love and as I told him that last day, we WILL play music again. God Bless Michael and his family.

May God rest Michael's soul, and may He also provide comfort to the many family and friends whose lives have been touched by Michael. 
My sincere condolences go out to Sharon and her family, I will keep you all and Michael in my prayers.

It's sad he's no longer with us; it's comforting knowing he was able to experience so much during his short lifetime. He was always cheerful, engaged, compassionate and willing to help. I had the honor of working with Michael for seven years as he advanced through the Boy Scout program. And for several years after that when he volunteered as a guitar teacher with the Music for Life nonprofit wherein he made a positive difference in the lives of so many underprivileged youth in Northern Virginia. Fond memories of the person he was and experiences we shared will always be with me.

Dear Sharon, Bob, Laura, and family, 
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of Michael. He was a true friend to my son, Ned. He spend many a time during grade school and a little in high school years jamming and playing at my house. I was always struck by his talent for music,  intelligence across so many subjects, and zest for learning and life.  Besides that he was clearly a person of integrity and goodness. What a gift he was and how he will be missed. Sharon and Bob, my heart goes out to you, and to Laura, whom I met by accident. We were in the same buy-nothing group and she gifted me two monstera plants which are still thriving. What a lovely person and am so glad they found each other.  Rest in peace. 

Michael, you will be missed by all who knew you. You were sweet and kind, funny and talented. 

I am so sad to hear this news.   He was a wonderful young man that has left us way too soon.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends

Michael made college one of the best experiences of my life and we have so many amazing memories, going to concerts was always the fondest of ones. He was extremely talented when it came to music, and it was a huge passion he partook in. He helped me through some really tough times and was always there for me. He is one of the most kind hearted, caring, and sincerest person I have met to this day. He will truly be missed by many. Everyone is in my thoughts through this difficult time. He will never be forgotten. 

Michael’s soul is eternal, indestructible and infinite. He will always be in our memories. 

My deepest love and condolences,

❤️

Mike you were one of the best people I know, and some of my favorite memories were being in the townhouse band as well as being seat buddies in several of our classes. You had quite the sense of humor and always reminded me to never sweat the small stuff and to enjoy each day. You would write some of what I thought were difficult violin parts for our band and when I told you it was hard , you would tell me give it a try and often times you were right , it wasn’t that bad. You were always so kind , and every year wished me a happy birthday. I am so lucky that I had such a great friend like you . I will miss you so much. I promise to get the blimy limey at tropical smoothie in your honor, and you will be reason why I keep up with my violin too. We love you Mike and we will miss you dearly♥️. 

Words cannot express how deeply saddened we are by Michael's passing. Such an amazing young man, his shining personality will live in our hearts. He touched so many lives in the very best ways. We will be forever grateful to have been a part of his life and we will cherish the many memories over the years. Holding your family close in our thoughts and prayers and wishing peace and comfort. As always, we are here if there is anything you need.



I am at a loss for words during this sorrowful time. Please know that I am thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort. Thank you for letting us be a part of your family and the honor to be a part of Michael's life. An incredible son, Godson, nephew, friend, musician and husband.

OBITUARIO

Michael J Lavelle

26 diciembre, 1993 – 30 enero, 2023

Demaine Funeral Home

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