John W. French

HAMMONDSPORT - John W. French, 85, of 58 Main Street, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 22, at Ira Davenport Hospital.

He was born July 18, 1922 in Hammondsport, the son of William French and Clara Coates French and was raised by his paternal grandparents Ida and Arthur French.

He was a U.S. Marine Veteran of WWII and the Korean War. He served as a member of a cash crew at various Marine air bases. After working for 35 years at Mercury Aircraft, he retired in 1985. He spent many of those years in Plant 5 working in the model shop. He was a past member of the Hammondsport Fire Department. John was an avid fisherman and turkey and deer hunter.

Surviving are his wife Marion Stenger French; daughter Patricia French of Canandaigua; sons Michael (Sheridan) French of Rancho Cucamonga, California and Glenn (Robin) French of Hammondsport; sisters Helen Lockwood of Penn Yan and Elizabeth French of Spencerport; brother William French of Colorado; grandchildren Christie Henrichsen, Jillian Hamm and Cory Lennon; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. His loyal canine friend, Ginger, also survives John.

John was pre-deceased by his parents William French and Clara Coates French Mastin; grandparents Ida and Arthur French; and sister Marian Weatherbee.

Friends called Friday, Jan. 25, from 4-7 p.m. at the LaMarche Funeral Home, 35 Main Street, Hammondsport. A Mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m. at St. Gabriel's Church, 78 Shethar Street, Hammondsport with Reverend Peter Anglaaere as celebrant. Interment with full Military Honors was held at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery followed by a luncheon at St. Gabriel's McGill Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hammondsport Volunteer Ambulance Service, Hammondsport Fire Department, Finger Lakes Humane Society or to a charity of choice.