PORTLAND — Brian Daniel LaFrance, 38, passed away on May 6, in Portland, after a courageous battle with leukemia.

He was born in Lewiston, Feb. 12, 1975, the son of Robert N. LaFrance and Helene J. Bernier.

In Lewiston, Brian was involved in the Boy Scouts, achieving Eagle Scout status, for which his family was very proud. He was a 1993 graduate of Lewiston High School, and then went on to receive his bachelor and master degrees in International Affairs and Economics at the University of Maine, Orono.

On Aug. 12, 2002, he married Leslie Corey in Las Vegas, Nev.

An exceptional chef, Brian loved cooking for his friends and family. He enjoyed hunting with his uncles, fishing with his friends, and traveling to Key West with his wife. Growing up in Grand Lake Stream, Brian loved to return there for fly fishing and spending time on the water.

Brian is survived by his beloved wife of more than 10 years, Leslie LaFrance of Portland; his mother, Helene Bernier and significant other, John Sprague; father, Robert N. LaFrance and significant other, Paula Monaghan; maternal grandmother, Juliette Bernier; sister, Danielle Baker and husband, Ciaran, all of Lewiston; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staffs of Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital for the kind and compassionate care they gave to Brian.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ctcrawford.com.