Francis "Fran" M. Laventure

Francis “Fran” “Frannie” M. Laventure, 72 of Croydon left this world peacefully on May 17th at home in the loving arms of his wife.

Fran was born in Newport on August 3, 1952 to the late Geneva (Stone) and William Laventure.

He graduated from Newport High school and started working at Dorr Woolen Mill for a time and then traveled out west to Lake Tahoe where he worked at the Casino parking cars. He enjoyed exploring the vast landscape and spelunking in any old cave he could find.

Returning to Newport he began his career in the paving industry, working for Robinson’s Paving for many, many years. He enjoyed this work, but later found his love of carpentry. Fran worked for a few local contractors but eventually started his own business. He had a strong customer base and catered to their needs of smaller remodeling jobs and construction projects.

Fran met and married the love of his life, Lori (Smith). A true soul-mate can be rare but they both knew they had found theirs in each other. They were blessed to share more than 20 years of love, friendship and companionship. Their life together was blessed beyond words. Family meant the world to Fran and he was embraced with love by them, always being there to lend a hand or an ear to listen. They enjoyed traveling and enjoyed many trips over the years, whether it was local or to Cabo San Lucas where they enjoyed fishing, exploring the local history or just relaxing.

Fran loved sports and was an avid golfer and fisherman. He enjoyed time at the local golf course and was a member of the twilight league for many years and enjoyed many tournaments. He would spend time fishing local streams and ponds, but also loved to saltwater fish for the bigger stripers and Marlin. He was a true follower of the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. Even in down times he never gave up on them.

Fran lived his life wild and free. He had an endless number of stories and memories from his wild younger days and loved to spend hours talking and retelling them if you let him. He was also a jokester, always ready with a one liner, which sometimes you didn’t even know for a few minutes until he would burst out in laughter! He will be greatly missed, but the memories will remain forever with us.

He leaves his wife Lori, his children, Keely Penney, Erik and Rachel (Noyer) Jackson and two beautiful grandsons, Charles and Patrick who are the apple of his eye. Two sisters, Joyce (Hawk) Boardman of Fort Sumner, NM and Lynette (Dan) Grenier of Sarasota, FL. His best friend and brother, Dan Thorson who shared so much with Fran and meant the world to him and several other grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Fran was predeceased by his special mother-in-law Alice and two brothers, Henry and Gerry Couitt.

A special thanks to all the wonderful people at Sullivan County Health Care who showed Fran such love and grace in his time of need and Lake Sunapee VNA Hospice for the love and care they gave Fran during his long journey.

A celebration of life will be private at a later date.

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