He was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2000, filling the seat formerly occupied by Assemblywoman Beth Connelly.
He served on a number of committees, including Government Employees, Social Services, Veterans Affairs and Mental Health, among others.
[citation needed] In addition, Lavelle spent over 20 years working for quality health care by serving on the Community Advisory Board for the Sisters of Charity Health Care System at St. Vincent's Medical Center.
He has also helped substance abusers get their lives back on track by serving as vice chair of the Camelot Counseling Center's Board of Directors.
[citation needed] The funeral service was attended by over 1,000 people and included the Governor of the State of New York Eliot Spitzer, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, candidates for New York State Comptroller, over 50 Assemblymembers, and all of the elected officials from Staten Island from both political parties.