Asa LaFrance Obituary

LaFrance, Asa Curtis

Asa Curtis LaFrance, age 99, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at Blenheim in Middletown, RI. Mr. LaFrance moved to Newport in 1977 from Elmira, NY when he retired from his family's legacy fire truck manufacturing and export business. He was married to the late Barbara Blake LaFrance. He is survived by two daughters, Karen Ruth LaFrance, of Phoenix, AZ and Margaret Haviland LaFrance of Saratoga Springs, NY and his niece Helen Ruth Burch of Roanoke, VA. Mr. LaFrance had a life-long interest in history probably kindled at the age of ten, when, in 1923, he wrote a letter to Mustapha Kemal Ataturk, the new President of the new Turkish Republic. Ataturk responded with a letter "to an American boy" which Mr. LaFrance saved and treasured for many years. The young Mr. LaFrance's correspondence sparked wide coverage in LIFE Magazine at the time because Ataturk's response was the first letter written by him to any Western country. In 1998, Mr. LaFrance was able to give this letter to the National Ataturk Museum in Ankara--with great fanfare in the press-- when he traveled there with his daughter Karen under auspices of the Turkish Minister of Culture. Mr. LaFrance graduated from Yale University in 1935 with a degree in French and held a Master's in Slavic Languages from Columbia University. He also studied at Charles University in Prague in 1938-1939. He worked in government service during World War II using his extensive linguistic abilities in service to the national war effort. When he moved back to his home town of Elmira in the 1950's, he again brought his linguistic abilities to bear, travelling extensively in Mexico and Central and South America on behalf of the family business. In Elmira, he was Trustee and religious education instructor at Park Congregational Church. Mr. LaFrance and his wife were members of many organizations in Newport often serving on boards of directors including the Newport Art Museum, Newport Historical Society, the Preservation Society of Newport County, Redwood Library, Newport Music Festival, Quindecim and Alliance Francaise of Newport. For the Newport Review, Mr. LaFrance wrote articles on his experiences in pre-World War II Europe, Count Rochambeau and Edith Wharton in Newport. Mr. LaFrance volunteered extensively throughout the community and drove for Meals on Wheels well into his 90's. The Newport Daily News honored him as Volunteer of the Year in 2005. Mr. and Mrs. LaFrance were members of the Newport Congregational Church. As such, they were legacy supporters of the effort to save the church with its unique John La Farge-decorated interior. Mr. LaFrance was first Treasurer for the La Farge Restoration Fund, the stewardship nonprofit now dedicated to the restoration of Newport's most recently-designated National Historic Landmark. A service of celebration is scheduled at Newport Congregational Church (corner of Spring and Pelham Streets) on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the La Farge Restoration Fund, 73 Pelham St., Newport, RI 02840, would be gratefully accepted in honor of Mr. LaFrance. Additional information at www.memorialfuneralhome.com

Published by Star-Gazette on Nov. 13, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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I met Curtis one weekend a number of years ago on a trip to R.I. with Karen. What a delightful fellow! His spirit will most certainly live on. The legacy he gave towards the restoration of the LaFarge "treasure" the Newport Congregational Church, will be a lasting remeberance.

Tice Supplee

November 19, 2012

Kareen and Margaret, So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing, I thought of him ofrten. My wife and I would visit him In Newport when we were in the area, which sadly was not as often as we would have liked. Your Mom and Dad were always some of my favorite realitives on the Curtis side of the family. I will always cherish the times I was able to talk to him. Our prayers are with you both.

Bart Curtis
[email protected]

November 15, 2012

BART AND I AM SORRY THAT CURTIS HAS PASSED BUT WHAT A WONDERFUL MAN HE WAS. WE VISITED HIM YEARS AGO AND HE WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL HOST. TO US ALL AROUND VISTING THE "SUMMER HOMES" OF THE RICH AND FAMOU. WE REMEMBER HIM FONDLY MARIE AND BART CURTIS PINE CITY , NY

November 15, 2012

Dearest Margaret, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Meeting your father was definitely a memorable experience for me, one I have never forgotten. Thank you for making that possible. It's comforting to me that you were with him until his last breath guided with the in-depth instruction of His Eminence Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche. You are a special and giving human being to have sought the guidance of His Eminence for your father's passing. I send love to you and your family in hopes that your loss is easier. You've known your father much longer than most people and this alone must make his loss even more difficult along with the special human being your dear father is. I say "is" because his spirit goes on for me. The photo is just like I remember your father the last time I saw him. With love to you. Kathryn

Kathryn Mora

November 14, 2012

Karen and Margaret: Your father has always been one of my favorite people. He was kind and wonderful to talk to even when we were children. His life experiences were amazing. I will miss him as I know you will. Cherish all your wonderful memories.

HelenRuth Burch

November 13, 2012

Conversations with Curtis are among my many cherished memories of such a courteous and thoughtful man. His joie de vivre lives on in spirit. Karen and Margaret, may the love of both your parents surround and uphold you on your own life journeys.

Ann Thurber

November 13, 2012

My sincerest condolences to you, Margaret, on the loss of your father.

Barbara Kass

November 13, 2012

Love to Karen and Margaret who have been wonderful daughters to Curt. Thank you for all your loving care.

Laura and Harry Nagel

November 13, 2012

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