John J. LaFrance, 89, formerly of the Clifton-Fine Boarding Home in Fine, passed away on December 27, 2011 at the Veterans Hospital in Buffalo.

Calling hours will be 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at French Family Funeral Home, Star Lake. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. with Rev. Robert Decker of St. Hubert Catholic Church officiating, followed by a military service. Burial in St. Hubert's Cemetery will be at a later date.

[Watertown Daily Times (NY) - Thursday, December 29, 2011]

(courtesy of David J. Schryver)

Grave marker for John J. LaFrance in Saint Hubert's Cemetery, Star Lake (St. Lawrence county), New York.

John enlisted in the Army at Utica, NY on 23 January 1943.

He volunteered for parachutist duty and was assigned to Company C, 58th PIR.

Pvt LaFrance participated in the jump into Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1044.  Unfortunately he was captured that same day

He was held as a prisoner of war for nearly a year before being liberated from Stalag 4A.

John J. LaFrance, 89, formerly of the Clifton-Fine Boarding Home in Fine, passed away on December 27, 2011 at the Veterans Hospital in Buffalo.

Calling hours will be on Monday, January 9, 2012 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at French Family Funeral Home in Star Lake. The memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Robert Decker of St. Hubert Catholic Church officiating then a military service will follow. Burial at St. Hubert Cemetery will be at a later date.

[North Country Now (Potsdam, NY) - Wednesday, December 28, 2011]