AUBURN – Richard N. Lafrance, 74, of Lewiston died Monday, June 11, at the Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Lewiston Feb. 12, 1933, the son of Edmond and Maria Beaulieu Lafrance. He was educated in Lewiston schools and graduated from St. Dom’s High School in 1953.

On Sept. 3, 1955, he married the love of his life Barbara Ann Gurney. He was employed for Nissen Bakery for 25 years and later Vincent Fruit and retired from Bates College, where he maintained the ice at the arena with great pride.

Dick’s combination of hard work, determination and natural ability molded him into one of the most outstanding ice hockey figures we have ever seen in the Lewiston/Auburn, in the state of Maine and in all of New England.

He lettered in three sports at St. Dom’s High School in the early 1950s. Football, baseball and ice hockey. Ice hockey is where he set himself apart from everyone else. He was a “star potential” in local hockey circles leading St. Dom’s to State and New England Championships.

During his high school years, he was consistently selected as an All State and All New England All-Star and Tournament MVP. He went on to continue playing hockey after St. Dom’s by playing for the local Bates Fabric, Senior AHA team.

Again one of the most promising young athletes he easily established himself as a top drawer amateur hockey star. He went on to play for the Waterville Bruins for a couple of years and then returned home to Lewiston, where he played for the Country Kitchen team.

He was invited to play for the U.S. Olympic Team in 1960, but had to decline to financially support his young family. He was without a doubt, an outstanding athlete and on of the best who ever laced up a pair of skates in this community. His hockey career had him inducted into the Lewiston/Auburn Hall of Fame in 2004. In addition to his hockey talent, he was a strong family man, and a great friend to many.

He was a member of Holy Family Church. He enjoyed spending time at his lakeside property. He was a season ticket holder for the Mainiacs, and did not miss one game this year. He also really enjoyed lobster and his family gatherings.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara of 51 years; his daughter, Nancy, and her husband, George Mancini, of Lewiston; one son, Tim Lafrance, and his wife, Christina Lafrance, of Lewiston; five grandchildren, Christian Hussey, and his wife, Amy, of Livermore, Jason Hussey, and his girlfriend, Corey Cunningham, of New Hampshire, Jonathan Mancini of Lewiston, Angela Lafrance and Samantha Lafrance, both of Lewiston; one great-grandson, Joel Hussey; and future great-grandson, Brody Hussey; two sisters, Gibby Bourgoin of Chandler, Ariz., and Terry Poulin of Chandler, Ariz.; three brothers, Rosaire Lafrance, and his wife, Lucille, of Lewiston, Bertrand Lafrance of Lewiston and Leonard Lafrance of Hudson Fla.; and one sister-in-law, Blanche Lafrance.

He was predeceased by one grandson, Matthew Lafrance; and one brother, Roger Lafrance.