George William Higgs, of Ellicott City, died April 20, 2008, at his residence. He was 59.

He was born Nov. 24, 1948, in Daniels, to Elwood and Nellie Raines Higgs.

Mr. Higgs worked as a carpenter for CRS Construction in Columbia for 40 years.

Family members recall that he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, as well as horse racing, fishing and hunting.

He was predeceased by his parents.

Mr. Higgs is survived by his partner, Deborah Jenkins, of Ellicott City; four sons, Bobby Allen Higgs, of Tennessee, Jeremy Higgs, of Columbia, Jacob Higgs, of Columbia, and J.D. Pendleton, of Cooksville; two stepdaughters, Lynda and Jennifer Jenkins, both of Ellicott City; three brothers, Woody Higgs, of Baltimore, Michael Higgs, of Severn, and Larry Higgs, of Georgia; five sisters, Dorothy Bentley, of Maryland, Barbara Boring, of Ellicott City, Ruthie Terry, of Clarksville, Brenda Kibler, of Woodstock, Va., and Janice Dees, of Maryland; a grandchild, Cole Higgs, of Virginia; and two step-grandchildren, Wyatt and Dakota Jenkins, both of Ellicott City.

Funeral services were held April 25, 2008, at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel in Sykesville.

Interment followed at Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Marriottsville.

Andre Lavanceau

Andre Lavanceau, of Ocean City, formerly of Dayton, died April 22, 2008, at his residence, of liver disease. He was 71.

Born Aug. 5, 1936, in Toulouse, France, to Daniel and Jeanne Casou Lavanceau, he graduated from a Catholic High School in Toulouse. During high school, he participated in a pastry chef apprenticeship in France.

In 1956, he immigrated to America, and settled in Washington, D.C., where he worked as a pastry chef for The Washington Hotel for nine years.

He married Patricia Ilczuk in 1987.

Mr. Lavanceau was a heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor, who owned and operated his own business, Andre's Refrigeration, for 35 years in Dayton. In 1996, he retired and closed the company, and relocated to Ocean City.

He was a member of the Ocean City Parrot Head Club, a Jimmy Buffet Fan club, for 11 years. His wife recalls that he was one of the original members.

Family members recall that he enjoyed spending time with his dog, O.C.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Susanne C. Peery.

In addition to his wife of 21 years, Mr. Lavanceau is survived by a son, Andre D. Lavanceau, of Roxana, Del.; a daughter and two sons-in-law, Colette M. and Tom Pountnay, of Laurel, and Steve Peery, of Columbia; his father- and mother-in-law, Alex and Barbara Ilczuk, of Salisbury; two brothers-in-law, Michael, and his wife, Tracy Ilczuk, of Hebron, Md., and Mark Ilczuk, of Salisbury; two nephews, Zachary and Brandon Ilczuk, both of Hebron; a niece, Christi Ilczuk, of Hebron; a close friend, Carolee Humphreys, of Ocean City; and four grandchildren, Ryan Peery, of Columbia, Lauren Pountnay, of Laurel, John Pountnay, of Laurel, and Tommy Pountnay, of Laurel.

A memorial service was held April 28, 2008, at Hastings Funeral Home in Selbyville, Del. The Rev. J. Harvey Dixon officiated.

Memorial donations may be made to AGH Penguin Swim, Attention: Toni Keiser, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, MD 21811, or to: O.C. Chamber of Commerce, 12329 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842.

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