New England Families

James Laurence "Jim" Francis
July 4, 2007

James Laurence Francis - 42, of 141 Lawrence St., Gardner, died unexpectedly Wednesday, July 4th in Heywood Hospital shortly after being stricken ill at home. He was born in Boston on February 9, 1965. At the time of his death, Jim was a Physical Therapist employed in the Rehabilitation Department of Heywood Hospital where he had worked since 1991. He was a 1983 graduate of Dedham High School and in 1988 received his Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University. Jim was clinical coordinator at Heywood Hospital and co-founded the Heywood Hospital Stroke Club. He participated in the annual Heywood Hospital Physicians vs. Heywood Employees basketball and softball competitions. He was a loyal Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. He enjoyed all sports. He leaves his wife of 18 years, Julianne M. (Walsh) Francis, a son, Thomas A. Francis, 2 daughters, Jacqueline M. and Michelle M. Francis all of Gardner; his father and his wife, Donald and Karen (Sabin) Francis of Norton; his mother, Carol (Vitello) Young of Dedham; his maternal grandparents, Laurence and Margaret (Angelini) Vitello of Roslindale; 3 brothers, Robert J. Francis and his wife Pamela of Stoughton, Christopher A. Francis and his wife Carol of Norwood, Matthew J. Francis and his wife Maryann of Roslindale; a maternal aunt, Barbara Martin of Roslindale; paternal aunts and uncles, William and Janice Francis, Margie Crimmins, all of Quincy, Mary Conkey of Weymouth; a great-aunt Margie and her husband Robert Flot of Revere; one nephew and multiple cousins. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 9th from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols St., Gardner with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols St., Gardner. Burial will be in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham. Calling hours at the funeral home are Sunday, July 8th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Heywood Hospital Stroke Club, c/o Heywood Hospital, 242 Green St., Gardner, MA 01440. (www.boucherfuneral.com)

Published in the Boston Globe on 07/07/2007.