William J. LeFrancis, 87, retired Newark Police Detective Sergeant, passed away peacefully at his home in Livingston, NJ on July 10, 2020 surrounded by his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Carol Kelso LeFrancis and many family members.
Bill was born in Montclair, NJ, the son of Louis C. LeFrancis, Sr. and Bridget (Masterson) LeFrancis. He lived in Newark before settling in Livingston.
He enlisted and proudly served his country in the Navy during the Korean War from 1952 to 1956, serving on the USS Intrepid. He went on to have a distinguished 25-year career with the Newark Police Department, retiring as Detective Sargeant in 1986. He was the recipient of many professional awards.
He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Police Honor Legion, Veterans Society, Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Emerald Society.
He is predeceased by his beautiful daughters Michelle LeFrancis Fox and Jeannine LeFrancis and his siblings Maureen LeFrancis Madden, Louis C. LeFrancis, Jr., Bernadette LeFrancis Peslak and Dorothy LeFrancis Callahan.
He is survived by his beloved and devoted daughters Patrice Bannon, Kathleen Ratchko and Sheila Ciancia. He is remembered fondly by his sons-in-law Steve Fox, Richard Bannon, Joseph Ratchko and James Ciancia along with his niece Denise Addis and son Mac and Jim Namiatka, along with Lisa Friedberg.
He is the proud and loving grandfather of Krisitin Fox Vivian, Steve Fox, Max Bannon, Katie Bannon Feld, Samantha Bannon Stoddard, Christopher Ratchko, James Jesse Ciancia and Nicole Ciancia. He is the Great-Grandfather to Colton Vivian and Lily Feld.
Bill is survived by his siblings Robert B. LeFrancis and Monica LeFrancis Wegeler and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and family in Ireland.
Bill was proud of his Irish heritage and was the ultimate family man.
Bill was an antique car enthusiast, filling his spare time with restoring his cars.
He was the guy to call if you needed help, from a home repair to a tow on the highway. He could literally fix anything.
He adored his grandchildren and loved his animals.
Bill told a good story and enjoyed a good laugh.
He will be missed dearly.
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