Richard LeFrancois
July 18, 1939 ~ February 15, 2017
Richard Hector LeFrancois, 77, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2017
in Fairfax, Virginia surrounded by his family.
Richard was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts to Catherine and Hector LeFrancois
in 1939. He attended Assumption Preparatory High School and received his
undergraduate and Political Science/Education Masters degrees from
the University of Massachusetts. Following Graduate School, Richard worked
as a Teacher of History, English & Politic Science at Holyoke High School in
Massachusetts for over 10 yearswhere herose to Chairman of the History
Department. He moved his family to the Washington D.C. area working for the
National Education Association, where he made enduring, positive contributions
to the lives of college professors, educators, and the students they served
throughout the globe.
As a long time resident of Vienna, Virginia, Richard also influenced the lives
of multiple generations through his coaching and league commissioner roles in
youth basketball and soccer. One of his most lasting legacies was helping found
Vienna Youth Soccer in 1974. Soccer took off in the community and the demand
exceeded field capacity so Richard took it upon himself to find public space for
more fields and developedsoccer fields at Andrews Chapel, Blake Lane, Clark's
Crossing, and Oak Marr to ensure that every child had a place to play the game.
His dedication to VYS continued for over 20 years as the Director of Fields.
Richard created an enduring legacy for those in his life, career, and community.
He cared and made a difference in everything he touched and will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Claire LeFrancois; his five children & their
spouses; Michelle & Brad Latson, Richard H. & Suzanne LeFrancois, Daniel
& Gabriela LeFrancois, Steven & Suzanne and Kim & Harcourt Vernon; his
grandchildren Court, Isobelle, Katie, Chlo�, Danielle, Rick, Luc, Paige, Kelly,
Olivia, Chessie, Chase, Morgan, and Mark, his siblings Robert "Skip" LeFrancois
and Jean Dixon and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and life celebration will be held at Our Lady of Good
Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd SE, Vienna, VA 22182 on
Friday, March 10, 2017 with visitation from 9:00am to 10:00am, service
at 10:00am, and a reception following in DeSales Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made in memory
of Richard LeFrancois to Assumption College and the American Diabetes
Association.
American Diabetes Associationhttps://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?df_id=19105&19105.donation=form1&mfcpref=T&ssrc=ppc&s_subsrc=AdWords_Tree Tribute_sitelink&gclid=CMzzlIukvtICFQ5EfgodwY0Auw
Assumption College
https://res.assumption.edu/alumni/onlinegiving.php
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
in Fairfax, Virginia surrounded by his family.
Richard was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts to Catherine and Hector LeFrancois
in 1939. He attended Assumption Preparatory High School and received his
undergraduate and Political Science/Education Masters degrees from
the University of Massachusetts. Following Graduate School, Richard worked
as a Teacher of History, English & Politic Science at Holyoke High School in
Massachusetts for over 10 yearswhere herose to Chairman of the History
Department. He moved his family to the Washington D.C. area working for the
National Education Association, where he made enduring, positive contributions
to the lives of college professors, educators, and the students they served
throughout the globe.
As a long time resident of Vienna, Virginia, Richard also influenced the lives
of multiple generations through his coaching and league commissioner roles in
youth basketball and soccer. One of his most lasting legacies was helping found
Vienna Youth Soccer in 1974. Soccer took off in the community and the demand
exceeded field capacity so Richard took it upon himself to find public space for
more fields and developedsoccer fields at Andrews Chapel, Blake Lane, Clark's
Crossing, and Oak Marr to ensure that every child had a place to play the game.
His dedication to VYS continued for over 20 years as the Director of Fields.
Richard created an enduring legacy for those in his life, career, and community.
He cared and made a difference in everything he touched and will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Claire LeFrancois; his five children & their
spouses; Michelle & Brad Latson, Richard H. & Suzanne LeFrancois, Daniel
& Gabriela LeFrancois, Steven & Suzanne and Kim & Harcourt Vernon; his
grandchildren Court, Isobelle, Katie, Chlo�, Danielle, Rick, Luc, Paige, Kelly,
Olivia, Chessie, Chase, Morgan, and Mark, his siblings Robert "Skip" LeFrancois
and Jean Dixon and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and life celebration will be held at Our Lady of Good
Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd SE, Vienna, VA 22182 on
Friday, March 10, 2017 with visitation from 9:00am to 10:00am, service
at 10:00am, and a reception following in DeSales Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made in memory
of Richard LeFrancois to Assumption College and the American Diabetes
Association.
American Diabetes Associationhttps://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?df_id=19105&19105.donation=form1&mfcpref=T&ssrc=ppc&s_subsrc=AdWords_Tree Tribute_sitelink&gclid=CMzzlIukvtICFQ5EfgodwY0Auw
Assumption College
https://res.assumption.edu/alumni/onlinegiving.php
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Richard enriched the lives of so many people. He liked nothing better than helping people without being asked. Some people just pass through life. Richard roared through it and we are better for it. He ran a good race, and I applaud his life.
Dear God, Please bring my Grandpa to heaven. And one day let me be able to meet him again. Love Mark
Dear Claire, My deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved Richard. He will always be fondly remembered by me and our family as a caring, loving friend. The family will always remember him as Uncle Richie.
To all the family of Richard, I offer my deepest condolences. He was a special man, friend to many and humbly made a huge impact on all he did for others in life. He will be missed by all.
Dear Claire, Kim and the whole family, I’m really sad for the loss of your beloved Richard. He was a great man and always had a smile for everyone. I will always remember him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Claire and family, Bill and I are so sorry to learn that Richard recently passed. Richard was a wonderful man and you seemed like an idea couple, both supportive and helpful to all who knew you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. Barbara and Bill Grant