Albert Joseph LaFrance

Albert Joseph LaFrance, 101, passed away on January 11, 2015. He was born on October 14, 1913 in Norway, Maine where he attended elementary school and graduated as valedictorian from nearby Oxford Hills High School in 1931.

In 1937, he moved to Washington, DC where he was employed first by the Department of Commerce and then by the Department of Labor. During that time he also studied Gregg shorthand court reporting and stenotype machine shorthand.

In 1943, he was inducted into the Army Air Corps, where he attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, earned the Rifle Marksman lapel button, was awarded the Army Commendation Ribbon, American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal, and received an honorable discharge in 1946.

After military service he joined the Alderson Reporting Company in Washington as a stenotype reporter, producing written transcripts of congressional committee hearings, presidential events, conferences and

other official proceedings over many years. He continued in that occupation until retirement.

He married Anna Virginia Egan in 1950. The following year, the couple bought a new suburban home near Falls Church, Virginia, where they raised two children.

In 1991 they moved to New Bern, North Carolina, and later to Kingsmill in Williamsburg. In January 2014, he took up residence at Patriot's Colony.

He developed a great talent for painting in oils and watercolors, and over the years filled his home with the beautiful artwork he created. He enjoyed vacations on the beach at Nags Head, North Carolina, and camping in the woods and mountains of New England. At home, he took pleasure in

watching and feeding wild birds. In his later years he became an excellent cook, treating his visiting children to many tasty meals.

He was predeceased by his wife, Anna Virginia Egan; his brother, Ernest LaFrance; his sister, Louise Merrill; and his niece, Michelle Aurora La France.

He is survived by his children, Albert Joseph LaFrance, Jr. and Mary Elizabeth LaFrance; nephews, Dennis, James and Robert Egan; and nieces, Madeleine Ruth La France, Marilyn Carol La France Koenig, and Marlene Ann La France Wilson.

He was a devoted husband and father, a man of quiet strength, optimism and perseverance, a kind, gentle and generous man loved by his family and friends.

Viewing will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 15 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA. A funeral mass will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday, January 16 at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Rd., Williamsburg, VA.

Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.