Lartigue, Armand

Armand Lartigue passed away suddenly on July 23, 2021.  He is predeceased by his mother, Erna Lartigue, daughter Kathryn Lartigue and daughter-in-law Deborah Bittner.  He is survived by his wife, Joyce B Lartigue of 32 years.  

He is also survived by his children; Gabrielle (Jack), Connie (Rick) and Danielle (Ted), and his stepchildren Jeff (Laurie), Greg (Amy), Brian (Brenda), Donna (Scott) and Suzanne (David).  

Grandchildren; John (Brianna), Brendan (Lauren), Allison, Alexander, Emily, Nicholas, Daniel, Nathaniel, Anna, Ellie, Darek, Abby, Mark, Andrew, Nicole (Shawn), Ashley (Mitch), Danny, Joe, Marisa, Kyle (Natalie), Ryan, Alek and Adrian.  Great grandchildren, Autumn, Leyna and Francesca.

Also survived by his childhood friend of 87 years, Lenny Maith and dear friend, Nancy Gardone.  

Special thanks to the amazing staff at St. John’s Nursing Home South 4 for their joy, empathy and compassion that they brought to Armand and our families.  Also, a huge thank you to Crystal for taking the time to connect Armand with Joyce on FaceTime during the bleak COVID months.  

The family asked that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Associate https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate or to the American Parkinson Disease Association  https://www.apdaparkinson.org/ in remembrance of Armand.  

Armand was born in Manhattan New York in December 1931.  He grew up in Lakewood New Jersey with his mother and a very close-knit neighborhood until his graduation in May 1950.  

“We were the best of pals!  We did everything together, just like brothers would.  When my mother made me play violin, Armand’s mother made him play violin, 6 long years!  When Armand went to play football, I played right alongside with him!   When we graduated high school, we went to the same college.   “ ~ Lenny Maith, childhood and very, very best friend!

Armand enrolled at Leland Powers College of the Radio and Theatre, finishing there in May 1952.  In July of 1952 Armand enlisted in the US Army, was active duty at Fort Knox, completed his service as a Sargent in July 1954.    

Armand went on to attend Boston University, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Radio – Television.  Armand moved to NYC to start his first job at WNEW as a radio announcer.

Armand married and started his family with his wife Constanceand his four daughters: Gabrielle, Kathryn, Connie and Danielle. His daughters were the light of his life.  Somehow Armand figured out how to be a father to four daughters when he himself was an only child.

In 1960, Armand took a job at Xerox Corp and moved to Rochester New York.  As Armand had many roles during his tenure at Xerox Corporation, he was the facility manager for Xerox Square in downtown Rochester NY.  There stood the building with 30 floors, 519,994 square feet!  His most successful endeavor was in the Office of Energy Management,Strategic and Regulatory Affairs. With several ever-rotating contract employees and a $65M budget to pay the utilities the young staff was full of grand ideas focused on saving energy and environmental responsibility.  They also had little experience with the way corporate projects and programs were implemented – just a big budget, big name and lots of energy

“With all of that going for him, Armand could have taken credit for all successes, but he chose to share the spotlight or give us the credit.  He was a true gentleman. Forever grateful” ~ Deborah Ashley, colleague and dear friend

Armand was a quick study on many topics and had the innate ability to read a room.  He was at ease in the Boardroom of Xerox Directors and Vice Presidents, on the golf course in Albany with attorneys representing us before the NYS Public Service Commission and at local, State and National events he attended on behalf of Xerox.   

Armand was involved in a study group consisting of large steam users including (among others) the County, the City, Xerox, Chase Bank and the Genesee Hospital.  The group had been tasked with providing an alternative to installing boilers in each individual building.  They had visited a non-profit steam system in Pittsburgh and wanted to duplicate that system at home.  So,they issued an RFP looking for legal talent to help them form a cooperative.

Thus began, an extraordinary adventure with Armand in the lead that 14 months later resulted in the formation of Rochester District Heating, “RDH” and the acquisition and reconfiguration of the Rochester downtown steam system. Along the way, Armand was instrumental in helping to secure 7 state laws, 5 City ordinances and 3 County laws that were necessary to implement the project.

On December 20th, 1985, the Cooperative successfully closed on $9 Million of financing (which was paid back on time and in full in 2000).  And the Cooperative achieved a very high level of reliability with 99.99% uptime since its inception.

Armand’s unique accomplishment was recognized in several significant ways.  Internally, Armand (and Jean) received the Xerox President’s Award.  From a community perspective, the Mayor and County Executive, together with members of the State Legislative Delegation and the Chairman of NYSERDA dedicated the steam plant to Armand—which is officially still called “Lartigue Station”.  In addition, Armand was elected the first President of the RDH Board of Directors and served in that role for over two decades. He was also invited to present the “RDH Story” at the annual District Heating Conference and one hosted by the US Conference of Mayors in Washington, DC.

And so, Armand successfully led the formation of the first and only non-profit steam cooperative in New York State that continues to this day to provide reliable service to its 38 Members.

“Armand will be greatly missed, but certainly not forgotten.  Neither will his integrity, nor his quiet leadership style, nor his sense of purpose and dedication, nor his unique contribution to Downtown Rochester.  We will always remember the gregarious laugh and broad smile he brought everywhere with him.” ~Michael Howard, colleague and close friend

During this unprecedented business time during his life, Armand married Joyce, his partner in crime and new life’s passion.  Armand also took on another phase in his life, stepfather.  Joyce was a packaged deal with her five kids and their spouse’s: Jeff, Greg, Brian, Donna and Suzie.  During his lifetime Armand saw a multiple of grandchildren bless his life.  He adored and lovedeach one of them. So many that he kept a spreadsheet of each child or grandchild’s date of birth, by month, so he could mail a birthday card and call them all on their special day.   It did not matter how they came to him; they were all cherished the same!  

His family and friends will never be the same without this amazing man. 

Bits and Pieces.

Bits and Pieces.

People. People important to you. People unimportant to you cross your life, touch it with love and move on. There are people who leave you, and you breathe a sigh of relief, and wonder why you ever came in contact with them. There are people who leave you and you breathe a sigh of remorse and wonder why they had to go and leave such a gaping hole.

Children leave parents. Friends leave friends. Acquaintances move on. People change homes. People grow apart. Enemies hate and move on. Friends love and move on. You think of the many who have moved into your hazy memory. You look at those present and wonder.

I believe in God’s master plan in lives. He moves people in and out of each- others’ lives, and each leaves his mark on the other. You find you are made up of bits and pieces of all who ever touched your life, and you are more because of it, and you would be less if they had not touched you.

Pray God that you accept the bits and pieces in humility and wonder, and never question, and never regret.

Author unknown

Calling Hours Thursday August 5 4-6PM at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt Location) 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport. Graveside Service Friday August 6 11AM at White Haven Memorial Park, Pittsford. Please meet at gate at 10:45AM.