George French Jr.

(May 13, 1921 - November 27, 2009)

 George French Jr., 88 years and six months, peacefully left this world to be with his Lord, Friday November 27th, 2009.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lucille of 61 years. He is survived by his daughter Norma (Bob) Patterson of Comstock Park MI, two sons, Ron (Jane) French of Hessel MI, Doug French of Traverse City MI, four grandchildren, Dannelle (Greg) Lavallee, Chris Patterson, Andrew (Heather) French, Kristine French, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews spread out across the country.

 He was born in London England and moved to America with his parents and two sisters in 1925. He served in WWII in New Guinea and the Philippines as a coxswain with an amphibious engineer unit in the Pacific. He was responsible for steering the ship and transporting troops and supplies to and from shore. He was honorably discharged from the service of his country, January 2, 1946.

 George and Lucille met after the war and were married August 24, 1946 in Grand Rapids MI. During the war Lucille served as a nurse in Oglethorpe GA, helping the wounded soldiers. Both Lucille and George were proud veterans and always tried to make their WWII reunions. They were both active members in many clubs; including the American Legion, Amvets, Eagles, Elks and the VFW.

 After retiring from Michigan Consolidated Gas Company in Grand Rapids where George worked for 30 years in the Street Department, he and Lucille moved to their summer cottage on the Muskegon River in Big Rapids where they spent most of their remaining years.

 George enjoyed staying busy and active throughout his life. He enjoyed fishing, working around his home on the Muskegon River and travelling. Later in life with Lucille, they would begin to spend their winters in Arizona. In his 70’s, he worked as a courtesy clerk at the Carter’s grocery store in Big Rapids. He soon became a local favorite by helping patrons to their cars with groceries while cheerfully whistling or singing. He loved people and seemed to make friends where ever he went. He was a gentleman in the very truest sense of the word; his gentle kind spirit will be missed greatly in a world that needs so many more like him. All our prayers and thoughts go with him; we will miss him, love him, and know he has found peace. We love you dad, you betcha…..

 A funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 2nd at St. Paul’s Campus Parish in Big Rapids with Father Lam T. Le officiating. There will be military honors under the auspices of American Legion Post #98 Firing Squad. The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. The family will also greet friends one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

 A luncheon will follow afterwards at the Eagles Club at 18361 16 Mile Rd. in Big Rapids. In lieu of flowers the family would like memorial contributions to be made to St. Paul’s Campus Parish or the humane society of one’s choice in George’s name.