Joseph Alfred LaFrance

Joseph Alfred LaFrance passed away January 15, 2025.
Born June 5, 1934, he was the son of Joseph "Ducky" and Ruth LaFrance of West Haven, CT.
He was a graduate of West Haven High School class of 1952 where he excelled in Football, baseball and basketball. Joseph was the recipient of All-Around Sports Award his senior year.
He went to play baseball for Deerfield Academy on scholarship. He was also offered a full-ride scholarship to play baseball for NYU, however he ultimately accepted a scholarship to play football and baseball for UCONN. He played for UCONN 2 years before being recruited to play football for the Marines as a tight end, playing against many All-American professional football players, a goal he accomplished and was very proud of.
Joseph worked several jobs included working for the United States Postal Office, New Haven Pipeline, Commander of New Haven Marine Corps League (where he developed "The Young Marines" program), house parents at Milton Hershey School in the mid 1960's, Director of Discipline at Becket Academy in East Haddam, CT, Administrator in Special Education at the Orphanage of Wheeling, West Virginia (where he assisted in developing a new facility and facility of Special Education). At this time, he completed his master's degree at West Virginia University.
He and his wife were contacted for an administration job at Milton Hershey School but ultimately opted to return to the school as house parents, where they remained employed until retirement.
Throughout the years, sports remained a strong passion. He also began painting at 40 years old excelling in watercolors and oil paints, where he had several commissioned works including Hotel Hershey. He ran TERRAP program for the states of Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Florida, specializing in Psychotherapy for Panic, Anxiety and Phobias which became an integral part of his life.
Joseph is proceeded in death by his parents, 2 sisters and his famous Great-Great Uncle Charles Sherwood Stratten "Tom Thumb". He is survived by his loving wife Joan Eleanor LaFrance of 66 years, their three children Joseph LaFrance and wife Alison, Paul LaFrance and wife Crystal and daughter Michelle Manjerovic and husband Gregg. Seven grandchildren, Amy, Michael, Courtney, Riley, Noah, Tyler, Madeline Jo and five great-grandchildren Ava, Christian, Abella-Rose, Levi, and Isaac.
A funeral service will be held on Friday January 24, 2025 at 11:30 am from Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 618 E. Main Street, Annville. Interment will be in Hershey Cemetery with military honors. There will be a visitation from 10:30-11:30 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to The Four Diamonds, PO Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033 or The Humane Society of Lebanon County, 150 N. Ramona Road, Myerstown, PA 17067.