HAZLET – A former township committeeman and mayor in Hazlet who was seeking to return to a seat on the Township Committee has died.
Kevin Lavan, 78, died on July 31. Lavan served on the Township Committee from 2006-10. He was Hazlet’s deputy mayor in 2007 and 2008 and its mayor in 2009, according to municipal officials.
According to an obituary posted online by Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Hazlet, Lavan was born in Bayonne and attended Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University).
He served in the U.S. Army from 1962-64 and worked professionally as a longshoreman. At the time of his death, Lavan was a hiring agent for Global Container Terminals, Bayonne.
Lavan moved to Hazlet in 1978 and lived in the township until his passing, according to his obituary.
Lavan, who was a member of the Democratic Party, was a candidate in this year’s election for two three-year terms on the Township Committee. Lavan was running with David Personette for the seats on the governing body.
In addition to serving on the Township Committee, according to his obituary, Lavan also served on the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Recreation Commission and the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority.
Lavan was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, chairman of the Holy Family Carnival and president of the Holy Family Athletic Association.
In recognition of his military service, a banner with Lavan’s photo and years of service was installed at Veterans Park. Flags on township property were lowered in his honor, according to officials.
“He was here for the people, he worked hard for the town,” said Mayor Michael Sachs, who served alongside Lavan on the Township Committee and municipal boards. “He was on the committee for one reason and that was to do what he felt was best for the town. He will be missed.”
Personette paid tribute to Lavan, saying, “Kevin’s dedication to the needs of the citizens of Hazlet is one of the main reasons I got into politics.”
According to Personette, who is the municipal chairman of the Hazlet Democratic Party, Lavan’s spot on the ballot will be filled by Danielle Roth.
Roth has been a senior leadership development manager with the National Society of Leadership and Success for more than 20 years, according to the Hazlet Democrats.
According to the Hazlet Democrats, Roth is a volunteer for sports organizations in Hazlet, including the Hazlet United Soccer Association, Hazlet Youth Athletic League and Hazlet Pop Warner, and is the treasurer for the Hazlet Pop Warner cheer organization.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in financial economics from Boston University.
Personette and Roth will face Republicans Robert Preston and James Cavuto in the Nov. 8 election. Preston is a current member of the governing body. Republicans hold all five seats on the Township Committee.