Laurence W. France, MD, 72, of Lancaster, died Monday, March 21, 2011 at Lancaster General Hospital. Larry was the husband of Eileen Carr France for 47 years. He was born in Philadelphia to the late James S. and Catherine Rospopo France.

An obstetrics and gynecology physician, he was part of OB-GYN of Lancaster from 1970 to 2002 and was the former president of the group. His hospital appointments included the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lancaster Regional Medical Center, where he was chairman of the department from 1983 to 1992, and also Lancaster General Hospital.  Dr. France was also a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

He earned his B.S. from St. Joseph's College, Philadelphia, in 1960, completed medical school at Hahnemann Medical School, Philadelphia, in 1964, served his internship at Fitzgerald-Mercy Hospital, Darby, from 1964 to 1965, was a Captain in the USAF Medical Corps at Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, IL, from 1965 to 1967, and then completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, from 1967- 1970. Licensed in Pennsylvania in 1965, Dr. France's was certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners in 1965 and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1972.

Dr. France was a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Lancaster County Medical Society and the American Fertility Society.

Larry was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and attended the St. Joseph Chapel at Lancaster Regional Medical Center. He was a former member of the Foundation Board of Lancaster Catholic High School. He loved carpentry and fine woodworking, which he learned from his father, and also collecting pictures and sculptures of frogs.

In addition to his wife Eileen, Larry is survived by four children, Gregory J., husband of M. Chau France, Apple Valley, MN, and their children Nathaniel, Andrew, Spencer and Renee, Steven J., husband of Nicolle France, Naperville, IL, and their children Michael, Eric and Elenzie, Kristin M. France, wife of Michael Shomsky, Minneapolis, MN, and their son Ian, and Nicole C. France, wife of Damu McCoy, Golden Valley, MN, and Larry's two expected grandchildren. Larry is also survived by his sisters Loretta, wife of John Mihalik, Hershey, PA, and Charlotte, wife of Bob Wilks, Mason, MI, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received on Thursday, March 24, 2011 from 6-9PM at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 8PM. Friends will again be received on Friday, March 25, 2011 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 558 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA from 10-11AM, with the Mass to follow at 11AM with The Rev. Michael E. Messner and The Rev. Chester P. Snyder as Co-Celebrants. Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Conshohocken, PA. Please omit flowers. Contributions can be made in Larry's memory to Lancaster Catholic High School, 650 Juliette Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601 or to the St. Joseph Chapel Fund, 250 College Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603. To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 560-5100