Philip R. LaFrance, 73, of Taunton and Little Compton, passed away peacefully after a period of failing health, Friday Oct. 19, 2012, in  Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston surrounded by his loving family.

Phil was born in Taunton, son of the late Rene and Josephine (Ziomek) La France.  He was a 1957 graduate of Msgr. Coyle High School and a 1962 graduate of Northeastern University in Boston. After he received his degree in chemical engineering, he taught Metallurgy at MIT.  Phil was a self-employed real estate broker in the Taunton area for over 40 years.

He was a member of the Taunton City Council and Taunton Planning Board. He was  a former President and member of the North Bristol County board of Realtors, from which he was selected as Realtor of the Year, twice. He was also chairman of the MLS Committee for that board. He was  a member of the Board of Directors of the Bristol County Savings Bank, a member, director and  former treasurer of the Old Colony Historical Society, and was a longtime  member of the Taunton Rotary Club where he served as president. He is a past  member of the Foundation Board of Bristol Community College. He was also a past president and member of the Finance Committee of the Indian Rock Association in Little Compton.  While living in East Taunton, Phil was a communicant of Holy Family Church.

Phil is survived by his wife Barbara (Shakespeare) LaFrance and his daughters, Jennifer LaFrance of Taunton and Lisa LaFrance and her husband Richard Huntt Jr and his son Bryce Huntt all of Natick.  He is the brother of Virginia Plentus and her husband Joseph of Berkley.  Phil was also the brother of the late Barbara Keith, Nancy LaFrance and Linda LaFrance and is the brother-in-law of John Keith of West Yarmouth and Thomas Shakespeare of Canada.  He is the uncle, nephew and cousin of several.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass in Holy Family Church, Middleboro Ave., East Taunton this Thursday at 10 a.m.  Phil’s family will be receiving friends in the Crapo-Hathaway Funeral Home, 350 Somerset Ave, ( Route 138 South) Taunton on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m.  Donations in Phil’s memory may be made to the Old Colony  Historical Society, 66 Church Green, Taunton, MA 02780.  To light a candle, get directions or to access the memorial register go to www.hathawayfunerals.com.