William “Bill” L. LaFrance, age 53, of Cranberry Lake passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2010.

Bill was born on February 15, 1956 in Tupper Lake. He is a son of Edgar and Nancy (Kapell) LaFrance who survive him. Bill graduated from Clifton-Fine Central School and attended college at SUNY Delhi.

He married Laurie Cassell on May 27, 1978 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Newton Falls. The couple has lived in Cranberry Lake where Mr. LaFrance owned and operated Emporium Marine on the lake he loved. He is a lifelong member and chief of the Cranberry Lake Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department and Painter’s Union.

Bill was an avid hunter, snowmobiler, and loved to ride his motorcycle, four wheeler and boats. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, mentor, confidante, and hero to many.

His survivors include his wife of 31 years, Laurie A. LaFrance; his four children, Jessica Fraser and husband Colin, Mathew LaFrance and partner Jessica, Danielle LaFrance and partner Matt, Miranda LaFrance and partner Randy; his five grandchildren, Nicholas, Kaeliann, and William Fraser, Holden Rice, and Jaedyn Adams; his parents, Nancy and Edgar LaFrance; parents-in-law, Arthur and Beverly Cassell; four brothers, two sisters, one brother-in-law, their spouses, numerous nieces and nephews and countless other family and friends. Bill is predeceased by a brother, Joseph LaFrance (1960).

Calling hours will be at French Family Funeral Home, Star Lake on Saturday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with a vigil service at 7 p.m.  His funeral mass will be on Monday, February 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church.

Donations in lieu of flowers should be sent to the Cranberry Lake Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.