James L. Larson, 76, dentist to the Flyers

Although in his long life James L. Larson was an accomplished dentist, civic leader, craftsman and family man, perhaps he will be best remembered for his job of seeing to it that the members of the Flyers didn't lose any more teeth than they had to. Dr. Larson, 76, died June 13 of leiomyosarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer, at the Hospice of Lancaster County.

For 11 years before his retirement in 1995, he and a friend, oral surgeon Everett Borghesani, were tasked with repairing damage to players' teeth caused by flying pucks, errant hockey sticks, and well-thrown punches.

Dr. Larson got the job through Borghesani, who had been working for the Flyers since the 1970s. The work called for both men to attend every home game and travel with the team during playoffs, said Pamela Shockley Larson, his wife since 1956.

Over the years, Dr. Larson got to know the team very well, his wife said.

He always called the Broad Street Bullies "a nice bunch of kids," she said.

Dr. Larson and Borghesani sewed up the players with an eye toward making sure their teeth would not suffer permanent damage. He told his family that the players would often refuse pain medication so they could get back out on the ice.

In 1987, an Inquirer reporter described the injuries to Flyers left wing Lindsay Carson, whose mouth was smashed by a stick in a playoff game with Edmonton. Carson required three hours of oral surgery and had to have new bridgework for four teeth, plus two crowns.

Dr. Larson's daughter Carol, who was his dental hygienist, said he persuaded the players to wear mouth guards he would make for them. He also offered to make them black and scary, but the players said that would make them look toothless, and they didn't want to be photographed that way, she said.

In a 1994 interview, Dr. Larson noted that Bob Clarke and Eric Lindros were always gracious when they visited his dental office in Devon, signing autographs for other patients.

Dr. Larson grew up in Wallingford and graduated from William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia in 1948. He earned a bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College in 1951 and got his degree in dental medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1955.

He then served in the Air Force as a dental officer in Japan and Vermont. He opened his practice in Wayne when he was discharged in 1959. He moved his practice to Devon in 1975, remaining there until retiring in 1995.

Dr. Larson became politically involved after moving to Devon in 1960.

For five years in the 1960s, he served on the Easttown Township Board of Education. He was a member of the Easttown Township Board of Supervisors from 1966 to 1975 and 1988 to 1993, and chaired the board from 1970 to 1973. Also, he was a former chairman of the Easttown Township Republican Committee and a vice chairman of the Chester County Republican Committee.

From 1985 to 1995, he was chairman of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Foundation, which secures public and private funds for higher education. He was a trustee of West Chester University for 16 years.

A talented craftsman, he built a treehouse for his children when they were growing up, and a large stage for marionette shows.

Last year, he completed a grand dollhouse for his granddaughters, his wife said. It had hardwood floors, crown molding and electricity.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Dr. Larson is survived by another daughter, Cris; sons Eric and Jeff; two brothers; a sister; and seven grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. July 12 at Hilltop House, 570 Beaumont Rd., Devon.

Donations may be made to the Hospice of Lancaster County, Box 4125, Lancaster, Pa. 17604