FRANCIS H. LARSEN

1925 - 2015

LARSEN, Francis H. 89, of Plymouth, died March 23. Husband of Florence (McGrath/Connolly) Larsen, and husband of the late Ruth K. Murray. Father of Karen A. Larsen of FL, Katrina M. Larsen Chicora of Wendell, MA, Kristen Larsen of MA, Dana Kristian Larsen of MA, Robin Rachel Larsen Diurio of MA, Gretchen Heidi Larsen Bish of FL, and the late Richard Larsen MD, Erik Larsen, and Keith Larsen. Born in Boston in 1925, Francis was raised and schooled in E. Boston, Roxbury, and Mattapan. He entered the US Navy in 1942 and served as a Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class. He served as a Navy Corpsman with the 1st Marine Division in combat landings at Cape Gloucester New Britain, Peleliu Island, and Okinawa. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation, Presidential Unit Citation and Asiatic Pacific Medal 4 Stars. After returning home, he was assigned as corpsman to Midshipman Bancroft Hall USNA Sick Quarters. While attending Art School in 1946, he did temporary summer work at the old Back Bay Post Office. This temp work resulted in 30 years of various positions, retiring as Postmaster in Dedham, MA. Francis was the grandfather of six grandchildren, and brother of the late Charles and Everett Coffin, and stepfather of Joseph Michael Connolly. He worked in his retirement in tourism in Plymouth, MA with the Plymouth County Development Comm. He was a life member of the 1st Marine Division Association, NARFE, VFW, American Legion, and the Democratic Town Committee. A Funeral Service will be held at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 116 Main St. (Rt. 58) CARVER, on Monday, March 30 at 12:00 noon. Interment in the Massachusetts National Cemetery Bourne, MA at 2:00PM. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. For directions and online condolences please visit www.shepherdfuneralhome.com.