Malcolm
K. LeVanway, 93, of Essex Junction, Vt., died peacefully on July 1,
2025, from natural causes at the University of Vermont Medical
Center.
Born
on November 5, 1931, Malcolm was the only child of Frank and Barbara
LeVanway. He graduated from Essex Junction High School in 1948 and
soon after entered the U.S. Army, serving as a phlebotomist in
Okinawa, Japan, during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning to
Vermont, he earned a degree in accounting from Champlain College and
went on to work for several insurance companies, retiring from
Hackett, Valine & MacDonald.
Malcolm
was a man of many passions. He was a U.S. veteran, a college
graduate, a devoted camper and an avid supporter of UVM women’s
basketball. Summers often found him road-tripping solo to Tennessee,
where he camped at Pigeon Forge and the Peaks of Otter, forming
lifelong connections with fellow travelers and locals alike. He loved
recalling the memories he made on these annual trips.
At
UVM women’s basketball games, Malcolm rarely missed a chance to
cheer from the stands and sell 50/50 raffle tickets. He even had the
opportunity to travel with the team to away games — most notably to
Long Island. In 2016, he was honored with the Rally Award,
recognizing his outstanding support of UVM athletics. His generosity
helped fund the renovation of the women’s locker room.
Possibly
above all, Malcolm cherished the Champlain Valley Fair. He prided
himself on attending the fair each year of his life, missing only the
years he served in the military. He liked to tell people that he even
attended in 1931, when his mother was expecting him! For Malcolm,
each of the “10 Best Days of Summer” was a treasured
celebration of animals, local talent and community spirit.
He
is survived by his cousins, Russell Degree (predeceased by Patti),
Harriet Chates, Kenneth Stevens (Ann Whiting) and Jean B. LaGrange
(predeceased by Arthur), along with many cousins once removed. He
will be dearly missed by all who knew and admired him.
A
wake and memorial service will be held on July 21, 2025, 11 a.m. to 1
p.m., at Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home in Essex Junction, followed
by a private graveside burial.
In
lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Malcolm’s honor to the
University of Vermont Foundation, c/o Coach Alisa Kresge, 97 Spear
St., Burlington, VT 05405.
This article appears in The Cartoon Issue 2025.