Former Salem State University basketball and baseball coach Joe Lavacchia passed away on Wednesday in Sun City, Florida after a long illness. He was 68.As baseball coach from 1969 to 1979, he went 108-37. His teams competed in postseason tournament play five times, winning conference titles four times. Before becoming head basketball coach, he served as assistant from 1969 to 1972. Under Lavacchia (1972 to 1982) the Vikings went 170-58 and were invited to five postseason tournaments. His teams won four conference titles. Lavacchia was named NAIA District Basketball Coach of the Year in 1974 and United Press International’s New England Basketball Coach of the Year in 1982. He was inducted into the Salem State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.Lavacchia lived in Woburn and was a member of the faculty of the Sports, Fitness and Leisure Studies Department at Salem State for many years. There will be no local services. Per his caretaker’s request, donations in his memory may be made to either sport and mailed to: Salem State University Foundation, 352 Lafayette St., Salem, MA 01970.