Raymond A. LaFrance

Family and friends, we are sharing the news of the passing of Raymond "Frenchie" LaFrance Sr. He passed peacefully at home on July 17. His sense of humor, his style, and his vision of how good life can be will be missed.

Ray was born in 1941 to Vito and Dorothy LaFrance in Philadelphia. The family moved to Folsom, PA in 1950 where he was raised along with brothers Paul, Vito, and James and their sister Marianne. He attended Folsom Elementary, was a Boy Scout, and graduated from Ridley High School in 1959. He was a lifetime member of the Folsom Fire Company. He married Margaret "Peggy" Curran, and they welcomed two sons, Ray Jr. and Anthony.

He began as a barber at Fox's Barber Shop on Morton, and quickly built his expertise as a stylist with continuing professional education and subsequent experience at Robert Anthony's in Secane and Sebring East in Drexel Hill. He made many lifelong friendships during these years and became a National Demonstrator before marrying Jean - his ultimate partner in business, life, and love. Together, they opened Salon Jean Raymond in Media, PA in 1987, which became the most highly respected salon in Delaware County. Together, they enjoyed travel (especially to Cape May, Bermuda, and Italy, where he determined that walking was not his favorite vacation activity), boating, and skiing.

He was a NASCAR fan, a fair fisherman, loved the game of golf (and he'd be the first ti admit that he wasn't too good at it), and was able to inject humor into any situation in a manner that put people at ease. He had an appreciation for beauty, from music and painting to antiques and cars. He would have become an excellent photographer, too, but his sons could never pose for a serious picture. He enjoyed fine friends, fine wine, and fine food (though the extent of his cooking prowess was finding places featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives".)

He retired to Lake Harmony, PA in 2018, where he and Jean were active as Community Patrol members and were involved in rescuing and providing care to feral cats.

He is preceded in death by his parents Vito and Dorothy, and siblings Paul, Marianne, and James. He is survived by the love of his life, Jean, and his sons Ray Jr. (Polly) and Anthony (Connie), as well as 3 grandchildren, Anthony, Aric, and Scott.

Services:

Visitation will be from 9:00 - 11:00 am on Monday 7/27/2026 and a brief service will be held at Knoetgen-Donohue Funeral Home, 740 Kedron Ave. Morton, PA. Interment at Edgewood Cemetery will follow.

Memorial donations in Ray's honor may be made to the Folsom Fire Company, 411 Sutton Ave, Folsom, PA 19033 or Tails of Valor at Donate