Eric Dennis Lavine, also known as Rick Lavine, age 80, passed away unexpectedly at home, in Punta Gorda, Florida, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Eric (a/k/a Rick) was born February 13, 1946 in Oak Park, Illinois to Henry Lavine and Jeanne (nee DuBois) Lavine. Eric was raised in Forest Park, Illinois and was the seventh of eight children. As a child Eric played the accordion. He developed a deep love of music at a very early age which continued throughout his entire life. Eric also excelled in Little League, frequently being awarded the yearly title of “Home Run King.” By the time Eric was a teenager, his love for cars also emerged. He began working on cars in the family garage and eventually turned his passion into a successful career. Eric owned and operated EK Auto Body in Forest Park, Illinois, along with his younger brother, Kevin. Over the years, Eric owned many special cars, one of them even being displayed in the Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Illinois.

On October 9, 1976 Eric married his true love, Mary Tavis. Eric and Mary lived first in Forest Park, Illinois, then Warrenville, Illinois, finally moving to Punta Gorda, Florida in 1988. Eric and Mary never had any children but were paw-rents to six dogs and five cats over the 49+ years of their marriage. If there was one thing you knew about Eric, it was his abundant love for animals – all animals – from the snake on the ground to the bird in the sky. He had a friend who frequently referred to him as St. Francis, because all animals, even wild animals, seemed to gravitate to him.

Eric is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wayne and his sisters Audrey, Joyce and Darlene. He is survived by his beloved wife Mary; sisters Donna (Roman) Strzala; Shirley (Frank) Lewandowski; brother Kevin Lavine; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Eric’s Memorial Mass will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 211 W. Charlotte Ave., Punta Gorda, FL on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, any contribution may be made to St. Vincent De Paul Society, 211 W. Charlotte Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950 or to the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County, 3519 Drance Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33980.