CONCORD-----Leo Alec LaFrance, 87, passed away peacefully from age-related causes on January 14, 2018 at The Birches Assisted Living Center in Concord, NH where he was a resident.
Leo was born in Berlin, NH on September 2, 1930 to Alphonse and Marie Alma (Montminy) LaFrance. Leo met the love of his life, Marguerite (Bagley) LaFrance, as a teenager when he made twice weekly deliveries of ice to the Bagley home. Leo and Marguerite married at the age of 21 and lived in Berlin until 1963 when they moved to Laconia, where they resided for the next 52 years. They were married for 66 years until Marguerite preceded him in death on August 26, 2016.
Leo grew up as the fourteenth of sixteen children. His father died when he was 9 which led by necessity to the development of a lifelong, strong work ethic. As a young teen, Leo worked long hours hauling blocks of ice (pre-refrigeration) to help support his family while his older brothers were on active military duty during World War II. He spent his first two years of high school preparing for the priesthood at St. Charles Seminary in Sherbrooke, in Quebec until returning to Berlin to attend Notre Dame High School where he was elected president of his 1949 graduating class. Leo was well known as a hard-working athlete, excelling at hockey and baseball. He was captain of Notre Dame’s state champion hockey team and he played hockey after high school for semi-professional teams.
After a short stint as a hosiery mill manager in Franklin, Leo was engaged in the wine and liquor distribution business for over 30 years, traveling extensively throughout NH and Maine. He was also active in the community, with a focus on educating children in Laconia. He was a founding member of, and served as Chairman of, the Board of the Holy Trinity Catholic School and later served as a member of the Laconia School Board.
Leo left ample time for fun with his family on Lakes Winnisquam and Winnipesaukee. He also had a passion for tennis, playing every Tuesday evening up through his late seventies with a spirited sense of competition among lifelong friends, many of whom eventually and affectionately called themselves The Grumpy Old Men’s Club.
In all aspects of work and play, Leo will be remembered by his family and friends for his even temperament, his wry and understated sense of humor and, most notably, for his absolute belief in the values of hard work, education, family loyalty, and the importance of service to one’s family, church and community.
Leo leaves four sons, David LaFrance and his wife Jill of Kirkwood, MO, Shawn LaFrance and his wife Rebecca Farver of Concord NH, James LaFrance of Gilford, NH, and Thomas and his wife Lynn of Chicago, IL; ten grandchildren: Jane of Kirkwood, MO, Matthew and his wife Meghan of Irvine, CA, John and his wife Danielle of Conroe, TX, Christine of Chicago, IL , Stephen of Boston, MA, Ethan of Philadelphia, PA, Aidan of Concord, NH and Ryan, Joshua and Emily of Gilford, NH and six great-grandchildren, Kaden, Kai , Nichole, Ellie, Trey, and Luke LaFrance. Leo is also survived by his sister Therese and brother Robert, both of Berlin, NH. In addition to his parents, Leo was preceded in death by six brothers, Antonio, Telesforre, Roland, Maurice, Lucien and Normand LaFrance and seven sisters, Florence, Rose, Annette, Cecile, Doris, Laurette and Lorraine LaFrance.
There will be no calling hours.
Leo and Marguerite were parishioners of St. Joseph’s Church in Laconia for decades. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11AM on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at St. Andre Bessette Parrish - St. Josephs Church, 30 Church St. Laconia NH followed immediately by interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia.
In lieu of flowers a charitable contribution can be made in Leo’s memory to Holy Trinity School, 50 Church Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements