Lawrence John St. Francis, 71, of Worcester, died on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the St. Vincent Hospital after being stricken ill at home.

His wife of 50 years, Carlene H. (Pulkkinen) St. Francis, died February 2.

John leaves seven children, Dean W. St. Francis of Worcester, Michael J. St. Francis and his companion Wanda Davaz of Worcester, Melissa A. Dacri and her husband Michael of Leicester, Jonathan J. St. Francis and his wife Celeste of Sneades Ferry, N.C., Marie Otano and her husband Ray of Spencer, Ronald St. Francis Jr. and his companion Emily of Winchester, N.H. and Michael Butler and his wife Ashley of Keene, N.H.; his mother Helen (Bailey) St. Francis Renee of Milford; grandchildren Audrey St. Francis, Michelle Dacri, Isabella, Brittaney and Ryan St. Francis, and Chrystal, Matthew and Caitlynn Campbell; three brothers, David St. Francis and his wife Linda of Douglas, Daniel St. Francis of Boston, and Robert St. Francis and his wife Sandra of Worcester; two sisters, Sandra Schonbeck of So. Carolina, and Denise Ackerman and her husband Kevin of Naples, Fla.; a brother-in-law Sulo “Zig” Pulkkinen and his wife Christine of Thompson, Ct., a sister-in-law Donna Card of Norway, Maine; an aunt, Miriam Pecevich of Shrewsbury, and many nieces and nephews.

John’s daughter Michelle A. St. Francis died in 1967. He was also predeceased by his father Lawrence J. St. Francis, his brother Ronald St. Francis and his sister Susan Butler.

John was born in Worcester. He attended Edgeworth St. School. He lived in Worcester until moving to Bonita Springs, Fla. in the late 1980s. He returned to Worcester about 20 years ago.

John worked for many years in the distribution center for Table Talk Pies in Worcester. When he lived in Florida, he was a landscape gardener.

John was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He loved fishing, card playing, and following the New England Patriots. He enjoyed fixing or refurbishing almost anything. He enjoyed cooking and made the best shepherd’s pie.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, February 27, at 11 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster St., Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, are Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.