Obituary
Gerald John LaFrance (Jerry), 85, of Port Orange, Florida, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2024 surrounded by his family.
He was born on April 17,1938, in Kankakee, IL where he lived for over 50 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Margaret LaFrance.
In his younger years, Jerry enjoyed attending school basketball games, was a boxer in a local boxing club, and a proud member of “The Demons” car club in Kankakee. Later in life, he found joy in fishing, boating, bowling and other sports (including NASCAR), playing Texas Hold ‘Em, and traveling-especially to Las Vegas.
As a young boy, Jerry worked as a store clerk at his parents’ grocery store and managed the largest paper route in Kankakee.
In 1958, Jerry enlisted and served in the U.S. Army for 3 years, with 13 months of service in Korea. After his military service, he embarked on a successful professional career which began at General Foods in Kankakee where he worked for 20 years, eventually becoming Labor Relations Manager. In 1981, he joined Power Packaging, where he held various executive positions in Paxton, IL, Toronto, Canada, and St. Charles, IL while forming lifelong friendships before retiring in 2000.
Jerry was known for his great sense of humor and cherished spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.
Jerry will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 63 years, Marcia, whom he adored, his children Mike LaFrance (Stacy), Kathleen Kuntz (Phil), and Deborah O’Rear (Stephen); his grandchildren Ryan Kuntz (Lola), Clayton Kuntz, Travis and Elizabeth O’Rear, as well as his great-grandchildren Lucas and Ana Kuntz.
A ceremony with full military honors, will be held in the month of May at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery to honor Jerry’s life and service.
Jerry’s legacy of love, humor, laughter, and dedication to his family and country will forever be remembered by those who knew and cherished him.
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