Brian Lynn Laverty

Brian Lynn Laverty, 72, of North Fort Myers, Florida (formerly of Ludington and Temperance, Michigan) died on June 12, 2023 after a two year fight against cancer. He was a devoted son, husband, father, grandpa, and older brother. He fiercely loved his family and friends and was always ready to help out whenever he could.

Brian was born on January 2, 1951 to Dorothy (Taylor) and Frank Ross Laverty in Jackson, Michigan. He met Martha Mae Studnicka during his undergrad days, and they married on June 26, 1976 in Adrian, Michigan. Over the years, Brian and Martha lived in Lansing, Michigan; Bloomington, Indiana; Strongsville, Ohio; Temperance, Michigan; and Ludington, Michigan; before finally retiring to North Fort Myers, Florida. Brian and Martha welcomed their son, James (J.T.) Thomas Laverty, on January 23, 1984 while living in Bloomington.

Brian graduated from Napoleon High School in 1969, received an associates degree in business administration from Jackson Community College in 1971 and received his B.A. in accounting from Michigan State University in 1975. He worked as a CPA in Lansing, Michigan before returning to MSU and earning his Ph.D. in accounting in 1984 where he was given the Beta Alpha Psi Ph.D. Student of the Year Award. 

Brian taught as an accounting and tax professor at Indiana University (Bloomington) and Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland) before spending the majority of his career at the University of Toledo where he retired in 2014. He was the consummate educator, scholar, and tax researcher. During his career, he was instrumental in developing and directing the Executive MBA program at the University of Toledo, and acted as interim associate dean for the College of Business. He is published in peer-reviewed accounting journals and in publications for practicing accountants where he once received the “Best Article Award” for the Tax Advisor in 1989. He was sought after as a Continuing Education Instructor nationwide on various topics related to tax research and preparation. He provided tax and financial advice to anyone who asked and could be counted on to help anyone with technology problems.

Brian’s interests and hobbies were eclectic. He and Martha loved to travel: camping throughout the USA and Canada and cruising worldwide. They were snowbirds between Michigan and Florida for many years before officially becoming Floridians in 2021. He loved to play card games and was known for his aggressive but friendly playing style. For many years, he participated in the “beginners” line dancing class. He was an avid soccer fan who followed men’s and women’s soccer throughout the world. He was able to cite all sorts of information about his favorite teams and players. He followed baseball, especially rooting for the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians. He enjoyed doing crossword and sudoku puzzles.

Brian loved living in Swan Lake Village and Resort Community in Florida and had many special memories created with his Swan Lake family. He was known as a technology guru, great card player, and overall good sport. He allowed his Swan Lake friends to dress him up as different characters for different occasions. He became the Pineapple Princess, a baby (including the crib), Minnie Mouse, and other notable characters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Ross and Dorothy Laverty; his wife’s parents, (John and Dorothy Studnicka), and sister-in-law, (Su Laverty). He is survived by his loving wife, Martha Studnicka; his son, J.T. Laverty; his grandchildren, Lucille and Violet Swartz; and his siblings, Colleen (Dale) Moses, Peggy (Bryan) Medler, Eric Laverty, Pat (George) Swihart, and Kathy (Herb) Reed; brother-in-law, Tom (Patti) Studnicka; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service is being planned.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be made to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida (www.HarryChapinFoodBank.org) or a charity of one’s choice.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.