Walpole's Lavanchy's a Rebel at Heart

Gene Lavanchy may be one of the most recognizable TV figures in the Boston area, but for most of Walpole, he’s a lifelong resident who has never forgotten his roots.

The FOX25 Morning News anchor has bounced around to different TV stations throughout his career, mostly as s sportscaster. Lavanchy has anchored late-night sports programs and early morning news programs, covered the Boston sports teams, celebrities and everyday citizens.

Through it all, though, he has always been a “Rebel.”

Even after his first job in Fort Myers, Fla., Lavanchy knew he wanted to return to Walpole, where he graduated high school in 1982.

“It just kind of came full circle,” he said. “It’s a great place to live. There’s great people here. My family is here. I grew up watching Boston TV and always wanted to be a part of it, so I got really lucky the way things worked out. You know, how you feel drawn somewhere and you feel more comfortable when you’re home. My family is here and my wife is here so it all worked out.”

Lavanchy lives in a family of Walpole natives. He and his wife Anne-Marie are high school sweethearts and have been married for 22 years. The two have four children: Matthew, 18; Jack, 15; Brett, 12; and Lauren, 10.

Matthew is a recent graduate of Walpole High who plans to attend Wheaton College. The other three are making their way through the Walpole school system.

“It’s really a good school system and they get kids prepared and ready for the next level,” Lavanchy said. “They send kids to some of the best schools in the country in Walpole.”

With family and friends in town, Lavanchy has always been sure to give back – so much so that he was named “Person of the Year” in 2012 by the Friends of St. Patrick organization.

The TV personality said he is fortunate to have a media platform to promote good causes.

“I can help get them that awareness through television and through the show,” he said. “We’ve had folks on from time to time talking about their different fundraising endeavors and efforts. I don’t think that I am a particularly good honoree, but it was flattering and humbling at the same time.”

As an organization he was proud to promote, Lavanchy pointed to the “House of Possibilities,” an organization based in a short distance from Walpole in Easton, focusing  on providing programs for adults and children with developmental challenges.

“They came on the show and they talked about what they had and what they needed,” he said. “After the show aired, they got calls from contractors and people willing to donate their time.

“It’s rewarding to know that in some small way we helped raise awareness and exposure to the place so they can get some help.”

Lavanchy’s dedication to Walpole and the surrounding area will be lifelong, he said, even after all four kids graduate as “Rebels” and his days as a broadcaster are over.

“I can’t envision not being tied to the town in some way at some point down the road,” he said.