Remi Joseph Lavoie, 62 years young, of Statesville, N.C., passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 23, 2023, surrounded and enveloped in love and admiration. Remi was diagnosed with end-stage multiple myeloma and kidney failure on February 10 of this year. He decided, then and there, to die on HIS terms in HIS way.

Remi was born on September 23, 1960, in Riviere Bleu, Quebec, Canada, to Claude and Adrienne Morneau LaVoie, who preceded him in death less than five years ago. Remi was “raised in the backseat of a rambler,” as he would say, moving all up and down the NorthEastern United States and Canada with his “gypsy parents” and his only brother, Roger Lavoie (Debbie) of Statesville, who survives. His parents decided in the mid-1970s, it was time to “move south.” They all settled on Lindsey Street in Statesville when Remi was in the sixth grade. Remi graduated from Statesville Senior High School in 1979. His parents decided they had “been here long enough,” and it was time to move once again. Remi resolved he “needed roots” and quickly married a high school sweetheart, attended Mitchell Community College, tried to join the Navy, worked a few factory jobs, got divorced, dated a few girls, then fell in love and married Linda Head Lavoie in 1998. Their romance was brief. She passed away unexpectedly in 2002 at 42 years old. Although they had no children, they were both devoted parents to their fur-babies. Remi never recovered from Linda leaving him “too soon” and looked forward to their reunion. He was excited to see Puppa, Tessie and Kona again as well. He continued to “trudge through life,” as he often said, working at Lowe’s Distribution Center for 18 years and always grieving the loss of Linda.

Remi was a devoted brother, uncle, and friend. He was the quintessential family man. He treated all “the heathen kids” as his own. He visited some of us more than others but never missed a birthday, graduation, birth of a baby, any important milestone or holiday gathering. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone he saw in need. Remi was selfless and generous to a fault.

Remi loved his music, all things art, all things Batman, maple syrup on everything, cheese curds, and any book he could get his hands on. He had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He often spent his spare time researching topics of interest, hanging out at The Barnes and Noble and frequented every Dunkin Donuts in a 50-mile radius. Remi also loved his football. He was an avid Notre Dame and Denver Broncos fan. He loved most being surrounded by his friends and family. You could be sure he would always seize any opportunity for a great political debate and is in the “great beyond” arguing for all things liberal. Remi loved traveling, enjoyed his pilgrimages back to “the mother land,” and would never turn down any quest or adventure. His last great road trip was to Quebec to bring “my parents home to die with us.” Remi told entertaining stories, sometimes with a hint of exaggeration. In his last few weeks, he told us so many stories from throughout his life. He repeatedly said, “I have had a good life. I can’t be mad.” Those of us left behind will miss his corny jokes, crazy stories, his guarded tender heart, and his optimism for life, no matter how bad we always felt he had it.

Remi was admittedly a “stubborn Frenchman,” as he would tell anyone, but had a sweet, gentle, “true Southern” side. Remi had few family members in North Carolina but many friends here and worldwide. He was loved so much by us all. While he spent his last weeks at Gordon Hospice House, he repeatedly commented, “I am so humbled and never realized this many people really cared about me.” His diagnosis was sudden and terrifying for him. He was stoic through it all. Remi never complained and worried more about those he loved than himself. He was always “doing fine” and asking anyone who visited, “How are you holding up? “Are you okay?”He was altruistic to the bitter end, which is a testament to how he lived. Remi made frequent jokes about his impending death, often stating, “I am ready to meet my maker, I am just not sure if he is ready to meet me!” Remi often viewed his death philosophically, telling many of us “I have had a good life, I am not mad about this. I’m actually relieved that this life will be over soon, and I can move on to the next.” Retrospectively, he decided “Death is not the opposite of life, just a part of it. I was here to live, laugh, love, grow, teach, and do good; that’s what I tried to do.” You did, Remi. I promise you did.

Remi was the best uncle, “big brother,” and friend to Melissa LaVoie Bustle of Troutman, whom he promised he “will be waiting on ya sweetie!” and Amber (AmBo) LaVoie Kittrell (Bobby) of Rural Hall N.C. He was the best great-uncle to Megan (MagPie) Brown (Spencer), of Statesville, Natalie (NatNat) Bustle (Evan Warren) of Wilmington, N.C., and “the best uncle and company I have ever had in my life” to Jesse (Lil’ heathen) Bustle of Troutman, Chloe (SuperGenius) Kittrell of Raleigh and Lance Corporal Dylan (one toughman-heathen) Kittrell of USMC Camp Lejune, N.C.; and great-great uncle to (MagPie’s heathens) Brentley and Ashten Brown. He was so proud of all of us and frequently talked about how we were the “best investments” of his life.

Remi always stayed in touch and loved Linda’s family as his own. He leaves behind his in-laws, but those he always viewed as his brothers and sisters, Larry Head (Melody) of Monroe, Danny Head (Sheila) of Statesville, and Donna Mitchell (Tim Labarr) of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; and more “heathen” nieces and nephews, Brittany Head Holland (Dan) of Statesville, Jason Head (Gabrielle) of Monroe, Chandler, and Samantha Mitchell of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; and he was great-great uncle to Ophelia and Isabelle Rose.

Remi also leaves behind his devoted, lifelong friends, Leila Bondurant of Statesville, Calvin Lackey (Donna Potts) of Statesville and Sandra Lackey Wright (Pat Shields) of Mocksville, N.C. A special thank you to Lisa Jordan, Brad Perry, Eddie McCain, Lisa, Eddie and the Odom family, Felicia, Trina, the “Lowes Crew,” Father Mark Laws from St. Therese Catholic Church in Mooresville, and the countless others who came to show their love and support during his brief time left on earth.

A celebration of Remi’s life will be held on Thursday, April 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nicholson Funeral Home in Statesville. Family will receive all friends at this time. A private spreading of his ashes, along with Linda’s, to the sea they loved, will be held at a later date.

The family cannot express enough gratitude to the Statesville Gordon Hospice House staff for all the respect, love, support, and kindness shown to Remi and us in the eight weeks we left him in your care. He had a special place in his heart for Harley, Sabrina, Nicki, Kelsey, Andi, Janet, Jennifer, Daneisha, Sharelle, Lynn Kunkle and Karen Luther, as did we. We could not have made it through all this without you!

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Gordon Hospice House in his memory. Remi was so loved and will be missed more than he could ever imagine. He will be there, “holding the doors open and rolling out the red carpet” for us all. Je me souvien! Une vie honorable, est une vie e’ternelle.

Nicholson Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lavoie family.