Edward J. LaFranchise

LaFRANCHISE, Edward J. Edward J. LaFranchise, 80 of Manchester, beloved husband of M. Georgieanna (Rubacha) LaFranchise, died Monday, (September 4, 2006) at Manchester Memorial Hospital. Born in Bennington, VT August 22, 1926, son of the late Edmund and Emma (DesLaurier) LaFranchise, he lived in Enfield most of his life and had been a resident of Manchester since 1979. Ed was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Marine Corp. Prior to retiring in 1986 he was employed in the purchasing department at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company in East Hartford for 38 years. He was a member of St. John the Baptist PNC Church in Manchester, the East Hartford Elks Lodge #2063 since 1962, and the Manchester Army-Navy Club. Ed is survived by four children, Stephen LaFranchise and his wife, Diane of Enfield, David LaFranchise of West Springfield, MA, Susan Santangelo and her husband, John of Enfield, and Deborah Carrier and her husband, Richard of Port Charlotte, FL; four grandchildren, Stephen LaFranchise Jr. of Enfield, Kelly Vene and her husband Kenneth of Enfield, Heather Munson and her husband, Danny of Enfield, and Lisa Bergamini and her husband, Carlo of Somers; six great-grandchildren, Tyler James and Madison Vene, Joshua E. Carr, Haley Sue Munson, and Carley Nichol and Chelsea Renee Bergamini; many nieces and nephews including a special niece and nephew Barbara and Ronald Gustafson of Manchester. Besides his parents Ed was predeceased by a brother and sister, Charles H. LaFranchise and Jeanette Sullivan. Family and friends may call at the Watkins Funeral Home, 142 East Center Street, Manchester on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 9 -10 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be held at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist PNC Church, 23 Golway Street, Manchester. Burial will be St. John's PNC Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the memorial fund of St. John's PNC Church. For directions to the funeral home or to sign the online guest book please go to www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com (online obituaries).