"Jef" James France

Gonic NH - "JEF" James Edward France, 69, of 1 Rudman Drive, passed away Tuesday May 19, 2015 at his home after a long illness. Born April 23, 1946 in Milford CT, he was the son of the late Eugene and Sylvia (Ahern) Pion. Jef lived in Rochester most of his life until moving to Gonic 14 years ago. He worked for Cumberland Farms as a manager and in his earlier years as a police officer in Rochester. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a fun-loving guy who enjoyed telling a joke or just making people laugh. He loved his family and spending time in the Butt Hutt, an outdoor room at his home where he would enjoy a cigarette and a Coors Light. He also loved his animals which included his dog, cat and bird. Among other things he enjoyed were westerns, BBQs, traveling, Sunnybrook Cottage #6, and camping at Potter's in Lebanon, ME. Members of his family include his wife of 18 years, Nancy (Starratt) France of Gonic; his children Rick Nadeau and wife Corina of Sanford ME, Jim France of Concord NH, Jessica Bryant and partner George MacKenzie of Rochester NH, Jenny Morse and her husband Jonathan of Acton ME, Jessica (PC) Abbott and her fiancé Randy Ireland of Auburn ME; brother-in-law Frank Starratt of Dover NH, brother-in-law Tom Starratt and his wife Pat of Milford NH, sister-in-law Charro Starratt of Lewiston ME; grandchildren Kyle and Christopher Nadeau, Tyler France, Autumn Larson, Alyssa Morse. Grandfather Joseph Cyr of Gonic NH; many nieces and nephews and friends; and longtime friends Dave Bryant of Rochester NH and Linda France of Sanford ME also Special thanks to Paul Otzel of CT. He is predeceased by his parents Sylvia and Eugene Pion and brother in-law Bob Starratt. Please join the family at a cookout celebrating his life on Saturday, May 30 from 1:00 - 4:00, at the home of Dot Morse and Phil Dirck, 78 Sampson Road, Rochester NH. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cornerstone VNA Hospice or The American Lung Association. Cremation is under the care of the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St, Rochester NH 03867