A LaSalle Street CEO shot by a co-worker in July, apparently over a demotion, has died.



Steven LaVoie, 55, was pronounced dead at 6:15 a.m. Monday at LaGrange Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.



"I am writing to let you know that Steve's body has succumbed to his numerous injuries," his wife, Jody LaVoie, wrote on the website CaringBridge.



"I had truly hoped to tell a different story now about his recovery, and for so long I believed he would be with us again," she said. "But know that the man you all remember so dearly, fought so bravely. Steve brought great dignity and beauty to all of our lives these past months."



LaVoie, founder of the supply technology firm ArrowStream, was shot in the head and the stomach on July 31 by company chief technology officer Tony DeFrances, police said. DeFrances had been told a week before the shooting that he would be demoted as part of a company downsizing, authorities said.



Police say DeFrances pulled a gun and the two struggled before DeFrances shot LaVoie twice and then shot himself in the head. DeFrances, who did not have a firearm owner's identification card, used a German military pistol. He had been with the supply technology firm "virtually since its inception," according to the company's website.



LaVoie was released from the intensive care unit at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in early September but, according to his family, had not regained consciousness.



In addition to his wife, LaVoie leaves three daughters.



"Steve was a man who cared about everyone and was passionate in all aspects of his life," his wife wrote on CaringBridge. "I always knew this, but over the past few months so many people have reached out to me to share how Steve inspired them, or shared his gift of friendship and kindness. So many of you have related a funny Steve moment, or recounted good times from recent years or decades ago. Your thoughtful notes have inspired me and provided a much needed light to me and my family.



"I am honored that I had the gift of spending the past 20 years of my life with such a wonderful man," she said. "The other night as I was putting the girls to bed, I saw a plaque that they have in their room with a quote from one of our favorite philosophers, Dr. Seuss. 'Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened.' May we all remember our special Steve moments."



She said the family was finalizing "arrangements to celebrate Steve's life," starting Friday evening at the LaGrange Country Club, and then a service the following day at the First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange.

