Girard D. LAFRANCE

HATFIELD - Girard D. LaFrance, 63, of 15 Pantry Rd., died Monday at home. Born in Holyoke June 16, 1942, he was the son of the late Joseph G. and Vivian (Brizard) LaFrance. He was educated in Holyoke schools and was a 1960 graduate of the former Precious Blood High School. He later attended Bentley College. He lived in Florence for over 32 years, moving to Hatfield 3 months ago. He established the Florence Cleaners in 1965. He served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the National Guard. He was president of the Western Mass. Dry Cleaning Assoc. He was am member of the Northampton Gun Club. He coached youth sports for the Northampton Rec. Dept. and the YMCA for many years. He is survived by his wife, Sandra (Dushner) LaFrance; a son, Darron Burke and his wife Eliana of Miami, FL; a daughter, Lisa Burke Patenaude of Hatfield; and 2 grandsons, Andy and Nick Patenaude. The funeral will be Friday morning 8 a.m. from the Ahearn Funeral Home, 783 Bridge Rd., Northampton, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Joseph's Church in Hatfield at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Hatfield. Calling hours are Thursday 5-8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to either Baystate Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 161 Munson St., Greenfield, MA 01301 or to St. Joseph's Church, 11 School St., Hatfield, MA 01038. Published in The Republican on 12/21/2005.