Robert Joseph LaFrance, Jr., 61, died Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Melbourne, FL. Born in Natick, MA, he was the son of the late Robert Joseph LaFrance, Sr., and Rose (Garbarino) LaFrance. A graduate of Natick High School class of 1968. Upon his graduation, he was drafted as a catcher in the June 1968 free agent draft by the Detroit Tigers organization, playing for them for four years. Bob was the founder of the original Natick Knights of the Stan Musial League. He was the co-owner and operator of Garbo’s Restaurant in Framingham MA. He was a member of the Elks and Italian American Club of Sebastian Loved by his family, he leaves his daughter, Jennifer LaFrance of Walpole, MA; son, David LaFrance of Jamaica Plain, MA and Vaughn Johnson-LaFrance of Framingham MA; sister, Deborah Cobban and her husband, William of Bellingham, MA; aunts, Catherine Maffei of Natick, MA and Mary Garbarino of Crown Point, IN; uncle and aunt, Francis and Joan Garbarino of Naples, FL; and several cousins. Bob is also survived by his longtime companion, Suzanne Miller of Sebastian, FL; and man’s best friend, Squirt. At his request, services will be private.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to Natick High School Baseball, 15 West Street, Natick, MA 01760.