Philip H. Lafrance

Commander Philip H. LaFrance, US Navy (retired), 85, of Melbourne, Florida and Sawdy Pond, Fall River, MA, husband of Jeanne D. (Brisson) LaFrance, died Sunday, March 28, 2010. An Eagle Scout in his youth and Navy veteran of WW II and the Korean War, he earned a BS Degree in Accounting and Finance from Bryant College, a BS Degree in Public Relations and Communications from Boston University and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from University of Rhode Island. During his distinguished 35 year military and civil service career, he was Outfitting Supply Officer for the Historic Ship Nautilus, the Worlds first nuclear Submarine, at Electric Boat, Groton, CT and Auditor-in-Charge of the US Civil Service Commission, London, England. Besides his wife of 58 years, he leaves 5 children, Paul LaFrance (wife Kathleen), Michelle Puckett (husband Michael) and Jacquie Hernandez (husband Juan), all of Florida, Joanne Desrochers (husband Richard) of Middleboro, MA and P. Marc LaFrance (wife Amy) of Virginia; 15 grandchildren, Lisa Lewis, Jennifer Pourfar, Paul, Dominique, Grace and Abby LaFrance, Danielle Holdsworth, Michael and Christopher Desrochers, Melissa, Kate and Steven Miller and Chelsea, Nikki and Davy Andrade; 5 great-grandchildren, a sister, Blanche Lafrance of Fall River and nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Gisele "Gigi" Andrade (husband David of Bristol, RI); the son of the late Philippe and Anna (Couet) Lafrance and the brother of the late Norman, Roland Aime, and Roger Lafrance. Following cremation, a memorial mass will be held Saturday, May 8, at 9:00 AM in St. Theresa Church, Stafford Rd., Tiverton, followed by a "brunch" at White's of Westport. Visitation and flowers omitted. Donations to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham MA 01701.