Owen Sean Lavery (1956 - 2018)

Born 1956 in Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States

Died 26 Feb 2018 at about age 62 in Palm Springs, Riverside, California, United States

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Biography

Owen Lavery is Notable.

Sean Lavery was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet. After he retired from the stage, he served as Assistant Ballet Master in Chief, working with Peter Martins, in running the ballet company. He received the New York Public Library Performing Arts Lion Award in 1989.

Sean was born 16 August 1956 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the son of Eugene Lavery and Rose Flood. He was one of four siblings ... two sisters and a brother.

Sadly, after Sean moved to Palm Springs, his health took a turn for the worst, with a return of spinal cancer which he had suffered thirty years before. He died at Palm Springs 26 February 2018 at the age of 61.^[1]

Obituary:^[2]

Published on Pennlive.com and in The Patriot-News from Mar. 2 to Mar. 4, 2018

"Owen Sean Lavery, 61, a former principal dancer with New York City Ballet, died Monday, February 26, at Eisenhower Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA."

"A native of Harrisburg, PA, he began his dance career with the Central PA Youth Ballet in Carlisle. In 1977, he was asked to join New York City Ballet by the founder, George Balanchine, and was quickly promoted to principal dancer. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins choreographed several ballets on him, and he became a noted interpreter of the dances of both choreographers, and a strong and graceful partner. His most significant role came in Balanchine's APOLLO. He originated roles in Balanchine's VIENNA WALTZES, KAMMERMUSIK #2, Jerome Robbins' I'M OLD FASHIONED and CONCERTINO, and Peter Martins' A SCHUBERTIAD."

"In 1989 he was promoted to the position of Assistant Ballet Master in Chief, assisting Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins in the preparation of programs, teaching company class, and staging ballets. He received the New York Public Library Performing Arts Lion Award in 1989."

"He choreographed the balcony scene pas de deux from ROMEO AND JULIET for New York City Ballet and "Aurora's Wedding" from THE SLEEPING BEAUTY for Ballet Florida."

"He retired from New York City Ballet in 2010 and moved to Palm Springs, California, created a lovely home and lived happily with his dog, Connie Marie, and many old and new friends."

"He is survived by his sister and spouse, Anne and Donald Alsedek of Harrisburg, PA, his brother and spouse, Michael and Shaaron Lavery of Bluffton, SC, his sister, Patrice, of New York City, two nephews, Edward and Daniel Alsedek, a niece, Diana Lavery, and his aunt, numerous cousins, and countless friends."

The New York Times published an obituary for Sean, which can be found here.^[3]

Penna Live Patriot News also ran an obituary, which includes several nice photos, one of which appears on this Wikitree page, which can be found here.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave Memorial for Owen Sean Lavery.
2. ↑ Published on Pennlive.com and in The Patriot-News from Mar. 2 to Mar. 4, 2018.
3. ↑ Sean Lavery, Ballet Star in a Shortened Career, Dies at 61 The New York Times By Neil Genzlinger, Feb. 28, 2018.
4. ↑ Remembering Owen Sean Lavery: 'an extremely talented dancer' Penn Live Patriot News: Updated Jan 30, 2019; Posted Mar 06, 2018.