Obituaries
Laurence W. France, M.D.
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
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Dear Eileen and Family,
I have fond memories of being with you all with dear friend Fr. Chet many years ago as I made my way back and forth from Milwaukee to Rome to complete my studies. My prayers and support and thoughts are with you at this special time.
Bob Deahl (robert.deahl@marquette.edu)
Eileen- Tess and I wish to convey our deepest sympathies to you and your family in this time of loss. Larry was always friendly towards us, had a great sense of humor and I know his patients loved him.
Take care.
Bill and Tessie Hunt
Your father delivered our first son Austin back in ’91. It seems so long ago but your dad gave us our best experience of child delivery…his humor was priceless. We couldn’t have asked for a better doctor. We cherish that evening. He and I had many stories to tell each other while we waited and waited during labor. The stories were about you and I and our teammates swimming at the YMCA. Those days also seem long ago but I cherish those days as well.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Mark Haines (markhaines2@gmail.com)
I was sad to hear about Dr France.
He was a wonderful man, he was the best OB/GYN my mom told me. I didn’t know him as an adult but he was the person who delivered me back in 1980 so IM thankful for that. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. God Bless you all.
April Myers
Dear Family of Dr.France,
On January 16,l973 I delivered a daughter at LGH. My husband and I had not decided on a name for her. Looking at the pamphlet on my bedside stand was the name Laurence…. Ah-ha!! I liked the sound of that..Laur, the look of it. So I named my daughter
LauriAnne
I have always thanked, in my mind, Dr France for this wonderful name. He is in my heart.
My Condolences to you,
Darlene R Phillips
Saddened to hear of your loss. Doctor France delivered 2 of my 3 children. He was an outstanding physician and I was so relieved the second pregnancy to find out that he was the Doctor on call, when I went into labor. Always loved his sense of humor, in the office, even during routine exams!! He will be greatly missed!!
Amy
Please know, Eileen you will be in my prayers.
Mary Wiest Mackie
Nicole and Kristin, all of your friends at Target PD&D are holding you and your family close in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
With our deepest sympathy and condolence,
Michael Alexin and A&A PD&D
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Dr. France. I never knew him personally, but am on this earth because of him.
Upon reading the obituary in the paper this morning, my father phoned me to tell me a story. In 1973, my mother was pregnant with me and having difficulties. It was because of Dr. France’s forward-thinking and quick actions that saved my mother’s and my lives. I won’t go into the details of the story, but because of the issue Dr. France discovered, they induced labor, causing me to be born about a month prematurely but alive. This action saved my mother’s life as well.
Please know that as much sadness as his death brings, he was able to make a difference and bring joy to many people throughout his life. Thank you.
Melanie
Nicole – all the girls are thinking of you during this sad time. All of our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
~Lyza Valenzo
Yesterday, I was saddened to hear of Dr. France’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with him in the OR at LRMC from my beginning days there in 1980 until his retirement. At first as a young new surgical tech, I was extremely intimidated by his ‘pretend gruffness’ but in short time, learned to really enjoy working with him. He was an excellent surgeon and you always knew what to expect when working with him. His unique sense of humor will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
Love,
Betty Yoder
Dear Eileen and Family,
We were saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. We know the loss is hard to take but we are sure you have many good memories to share. I enjoyed my last visit with Larry at his town house in Apple Valley. He was a really great guy. He will be missed.
Our prayers and condolences are with you and your family.
Bruce & Helen Klugherz
Williamsburg II
