Francis T. Laurin, 92, died in his home Tuesday surrounded by his family and friends. Fran, as he was known to family and friends, was president of Laurin Publishing Co., Inc., an international publisher of scientific trade magazines headquartered in Pittsfield. A native of Pittsfield, Fran graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1935 and attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. During World War II, he worked as a machinist in the US Navy yard in South Carolina. After the war he returned to Pittsfield and worked with E.D. Jones, later known as Beloit, where he was eventually promoted to design engineer and export engineering coordinator for all foreign sales.
In 1973, after 30 years with Beloit, he retired early at age 57 to join his wife, Teddi, in the publishing business. Teddi had started Optical Publishing Co. in 1954 with Dr. Clifton Tuttle and, by 1973, had eight employees. The company was renamed Laurin Publishing in March 1986 and today has more than 70 employees. Laurin publishes the leading photonics trade magazines, Directory, electronic newsletters and website.
Fran was an active member and supporter of arts, environmental and cultural organizations, particularly those that assist children. He was a director of the Willie Ross School for the Deaf in Longmeadow and established the Laurin Audiological Center in Pittsfield, which offered children free service and testing equipment with a visiting audiologist. He supported the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund, the Annual Catholic Appeal, Self Help for Hard of Hearing People Inc. and Shriner's Hospital for Children.
Fran was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers, the Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers, American Business Press, the Rotary Club of Pittsfield and the Smaller Business Association of New England. He was a registered Professional Engineer with the Commonwealth's Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and of Land Surveyors. In 1989 he was awarded a certificate of appreciation for his support of the National Professional Engineering Hall of Fame.
In 1999, Fran was named the Philanthropist of Distinction for Berkshire County by the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives. Berkshire County organizations he supported included the Berkshire Museum, Shakespeare and Company, Massachusetts Audubon Society, United Cerebral Palsy Association, the Pediatric Development Center and Berkshire United Way. He received the Community Advocacy Award from Willie Ross School for the Deaf in 2003.
He loved reading and working with his collection of antique cars.
Both Fran and Teddi were inducted into the Western Massachusetts Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2005. Fran is survived by Teddi, his wife of 58 years, four children, Thomas Laurin, of Schodack, Diane Laurin of Lenox, Patricia Trotti of Pittsfield, and Wendy Laurin of Richmond. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Mary Ann, son-in-law Jeff Konowitch, and Roosevelt Moore, and his eight grandchildren: John, Elizabeth, Ryan, Kristina, Erik, Noah, Rachel and Jason. He leaves his beloved boxer, Elsa.

Funeral Notice: Calling hours will be Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Dery Funeral Home on Bradford St., Pittsfield. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Church in Pittsfield celebrated by the Rev. Monsignor Michael Shershanovich, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Willie Ross School for the Deaf and St. Joseph's Church in care of the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francis T. Laurin, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.