The LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund was founded in memory of two members, Jeffrey Earle LeVeen and Stephen Louis Roach of Secession Golf Club, who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Jeff and Steve, who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in One World Trade Center, were in their offices that morning when the hijacked airliner slammed into the building several floors below them. In the belief that this horrific event should not define these wonderful men, this scholarship was born. Their love of golf, devotion to Secession and appreciation of our Lowcountry community will forever live in the LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund, which supports the higher education ambitions of Beaufort-area students who need only demonstrate academic potential, interest and commitment to growth and the community, with awards amount reflecting financial need.
About Jeff & Stephen
Jeff LeVeen was a partner and senior vice president at Cantor Fitzgerald. He was the father to five children and husband to Christine, who says “he was the most positive person I ever met.” The couple met in New York City in 1973. She was an English teacher at Syosset High School, and he was just beginning his career on Wall Street, having graduated from Dartmouth in 1968 and served as an Army specialist from 1968 to 1970.
At Dartmouth Jeff captained the golf team, and he remained competitive in the game he loved, especially when he played with his friend Steve Roach.
Born in Boston, Steve and his family lived in Verona, NJ, where, among other activities he was assistant coach for his son’s basketball and baseball teams. Steve’s wife, Isabel, remembers, “He was generous, not only with money, but also with his time.”
Steve was also a vice president at Cantor Fitzgerald, serving as director of sales in Securities’ North American division.
Board of Trustees
Jeff LeVeen, Chairman of the Board
Mike Ayrer, President
Chris Summers, Vice President
Rick Rhoden, Treasurer
Tyler Gregg, Secretary
Jim Capuano
Jason Hildreth
Chris Kowalewski
Andrew LeVeen
Cheikh Ndiaye
Stephen Roach Jr.
Nicholas Stone
Jeff Wilks
Charles Tumlin
Darrin Helfrick
Andy LaVallee, Chairman Emeritus
A Tribute to Frank Stone
Frank became involved in the LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund from its inception and served key roles, including Vice President in its early years. When Andy stepped down as Chairman, Frank became his natural successor. Leadership of The Fund was a passion for Frank, and he was dedicated to raising money to support as many students from the Beaufort area as possible.
Andy joined Secession out of Boston, where he runs a successful bakery and has been a prominent golfing member of Charles River Country Club. Andy’s inclination always has been to help; Secession members recall him “helping” the folks behind the counter at Pizza Hut in Beaufort. He jumped into the kitchen to teach them how to make pizza dough!
When Andy LaVallee conceived the idea of the LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund, he needed legal assistance in establishing the entity, its by-laws and procedures. Jim was happy to respond to Andy’s request to lead the legal and compliance effort.
Frank Stone, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The LeVeen - Roach Scholarship Fund of Secession Golf Club, passed away on January 9th in Augusta, GA.
Frank was born in Charlotte, NC where he met and married his wife Claire in 1973. He is survived by his wife, his children, Nicholas “Nick” Fitzhugh Stone and Kathryn Stone Caison as well as two grandchildren, Charlotte Lynn Stone, and Graham Fitzhugh Stone.
When Frank heard that Jeff LeVeen and Steven Roach, two of his fellow Secession members, were among the victims of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, and that Andy Lavallee was working on a project to honor those two members, his mind went where it usually went.
“How can I help?”
Frank became involved in the LeVeen Roach Scholarship Fund from its inception and served key roles, including Vice President in its early years. When Andy stepped down as Chairman, Frank became his natural successor. Leadership of The Fund was a passion for Frank, and he was dedicated to raising money to support as many students from the Beaufort area as possible.
Original board member and fellow Augustan Rick Rhoden commented “Frank was as passionate about helping ‘our’ kids as anyone could be. I don’t think a day passed that he didn’t handle some kind of communication about The Fund or a scholar. We would go out to dinner with our wives about once a week and we always talked about The Fund.. He never tired of it.”
Added Fund founder Andy LaVallee “No one was more suited to replace me as founding president than Frank. He knew the ins and outs, was passionate, and loved the kids. He will be missed by all.”
Each year Fund Vice-President Mike Ayrer collects the scholarship applications and creates a summary for full board approval. Ayrer noted recently “Frank was the face of The Fund. We often talked about issues regarding one student or another and he knew practically every detail of their lives. He had the amazing ability to know each student, their individual family background and needs. We are talking about hundreds of young people. He would then fill me in on the details and nuances of each applicant. His contribution can never be replaced.”
Our tribute to Frank closes with this from son Nick.
“Dad had such an appreciation and passion for the game and everything that came with it, including the camaraderie and tradition. He always helped others succeed, and The Fund was the perfect way for him to channel that energy. He supported the scholars in any way he could both on and off the golf course. I remember many weekends where he would drive three or four hours just to see one of the scholars play in a tournament.”
He will be truly missed.
Andy LaVallee, Founder, The LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund of Secession Golf Club
An Appreciation
Andy joined Secession out of Boston, where he runs a successful bakery and has been a prominent golfing member of Charles River Country Club. Andy’s inclination always has been to help; Secession members recall him “helping” the folks behind the counter at Pizza Hut in Beaufort. He jumped into the kitchen to teach them how to make pizza dough! Although Andy has stepped away from Secession and LeVeen-Roach, he remains our guiding spirit.
Like many Secession members, Andy was devastated after September 11, but his inclination to help remained strong. As he played in the Blue-Gray matches in 2001, Andy was thinking about what could be done to remember Jeff LeVeen and Stephen Roach and simultaneously to help others. During one of his rounds of golf at Blue-Gray, the idea about starting a scholarship fund surfaced. Andy quickly embraced the idea and embraced it with full Lavallee passion. Other generous Secession members were willing and eager to help, but Andy was the driving force, the heart and soul of what became The LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund of Secession Golf Club.
Andy solicited the club’s approval to bill each member $50 once a year to establish a base for the Fund. He led the charity auctions in early years that became a significant source of capital for LeVeen-Roach. And Andy became the first President of the LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund, a task he performed, in true Lavallee fashion, with his incredible enthusiasm, passion and integrity.
Andy established the qualifications for aspiring scholars – need, connection to golf and academic potential – and he reviewed the applications as they arrived, often developing a close connection with LeVeen-Roach scholars.
The LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund today offers over $150,000 annually in scholarship grants, with over 40 students on scholarship each year. None of this would have been possible were it not for the dedication, passion and commitment of Andy LaVallee.
Jim Cooley, Board Member, The LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund of Secession Golf Club
An Appreciation
Jim Cooley is a passionate golfer, member of Secession and accomplished attorney. When Andy LaVallee conceived the idea of the LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund, he needed legal assistance in establishing the entity, its by-laws and procedures.
Jim already was involved with Secession as counsel to its Board, and he was happy to respond to Andy’s request to lead the legal and compliance effort. Jim’s efforts led to LeVeen-Roach’s successful formation as a 501(c)3 organization, eligible for tax deductible contributions to support is mission. Jim then served the next 15 years as a Board Member of LeVeen-Roach and as the Fund’s counsel.
The LeVeen-Roach Scholarship Fund of Secession Golf Club wouldn’t be where it is without the generosity and contributions of Jim Cooley, and the LeVeen-Roach Board is eternally grateful.
