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The Andrew LaFaive Memorial Scholarship has been established by friends and family of Andrew Christian LaFaive, a kind soul and amazing father, husband, brother, friend, and son who passed away on August 9th, 2018. Andy believed there was no greater path to a better world than access to public education and as such this scholarship honors his legacy. Andy’s best friend Jamie White was instrumental in starting this scholarship with the support of the Jackson Community Foundation.

Andy was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on January 30th, 1971. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1989 and went on to complete both a BA and MBA from Michigan State University (MSU). Although he lived most of his adult life in East Lansing, Michigan, Andy retained his connection to Jackson. His parents Marsha and Jim Haehnle, Gerald and Diana LaFaive, sister Lori Grace, bothers JK Haehnle, Brock and Todd Haehnle, Jeff Pappert, all have ties to Jackson and as such this scholarship was established in Jackson.

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Andy married his college sweetheart in 1998, Maria Lapinski (also a Jackson High School graduate) and together they had two sons, Adrien and Quinn LaFaive. Placing value on working hard and determination, Andy was CEO of MBTM Ltd, a small manufacturing firm in the U.S., and founding partner of Salva Sewn Products in El Salvador.  Giving back was important to Andy.  He served as Board President of the Grand River Environmental Action Team (GREAT) and offered his time and talents as a volunteer for his boy’s schools and sports teams.  He loved being with family and friends, hiking, biking, reading, cooking, running, and golfing. Andy was not one to be the spotlight on the dance floor, but his love for good music, especially reggae, was profound and shaped his easy-going nature.  As a proud alumnus of MSU, Andy was Green to the core.  He loved all things MSU especially Spartan football including tailgating - where play-by-play banter with friends always added to the fun.  He traveled widely all over the world with his family and friends enjoying many favorite spots including Prague, New Zealand, and the many Hawaii mountains and beaches.  The ability to be at ease in any situation and his sense of humor was how many will remember him.  Andy also had a soft spot for animals, in particular Steve and Sherman, the dogs who were always under his feet.