Albert Joseph French Jr.

North Hampton - Albert Joseph French, Jr., 86, of North Hampton, died peacefully Sunday, March 24 2013 at the Mark Wentworth Home in Portsmouth. He was surrounded by some of his favorite comforts including his beloved art, music, stories, laughter, and most of all—family and friends. French was born January 30, 1927 in Boston, the son of the late Albert Joseph and Mildred (O’Brien) French. French attended the Webster School and Central High School, Manchester, where he graduated as Valedictorian. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1947. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having been trained as a Japanese interpreter. He was also a member of William Sewall Gardner Masonic Lodge in Lowell, Mass. and served as its organist. French was employed at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company for 43 years. He accepted his first position with Liberty prior to graduating from UNH and retired from the company in 1989, as Assistant Vice President and Manager of Administration and Personnel Services. French was a strong booster for the many groups and causes close to his heart. In retirement, Liberty Mutual sponsored French as a Loaned Executive to United Way until he was 80 years old. Mr. French proudly carried out his United Way post with his trademark warmth, charm and strong sense of duty. He was a natural. French was a creative, innovative thinker and believed strongly in the lifelong power of learning. He found great satisfaction in what many would consider a working retirement. In his senior years, French had been an instructor of Principles of Management at Hesser College and the College for Lifelong Learning of the University of New Hampshire. He spent countless hours nurturing his talent and passion for painting. He was a member of the Seacoast Artist Association. He loved the creative process and the positive impact his work had on others. In January of this year, he was able to attend the opening reception of what would be his final art show at RiverWoods in Exeter. Though French’s body and brilliant mind were growing tired, his heart grew stronger and his soul found peace as guests shared with him their praise and appreciation of his work. It was a most dignified and beautiful crescendo moment for Mr. French. It was truly the show of his life. Mr. French was predeceased by Ruth Seymour French, his loving wife of 27 years, and mother of his children, who passed in 1975, and Inez Lyons French, his loving wife of 36 years, who passed in 2012. He leaves two sons, Bradford Ross French and his wife Sue of Hampton, and Carl William French and his wife Judy of Alfred, ME, as well as a daughter, Patricia French Marshall of Baltimore, MD. He leaves a stepson, Steven Lyons and his wife Ellen of Chelmsford, Mass., two step daughters, Janet Poitras and her husband John of Deerfield, and Beverly Lyons String of Columbia, SC. He leaves ten grandchildren, Ben French of Exeter, Brandon French of Queensland, Australia, Daniel French of Alfred, ME, Amy Brown of North Waterboro, ME, Bethany Baylies of Fryeburg, ME, Jennifer Sheridan-Collins of Deerfield, Traci Janvrin of North Hampton, Scott Lyons of Lowell, Mass., Greg Lyons of Tyngsboro, Mass., Sarah Plouff of Columbia, SC. He also leaves seven great grandchildren. Visiting hours were April 5, 2013 at Remick & Gendron Funeral Home, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. A memorial service followed the visitation in the funeral home. Burial was on April 6, 2013 at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Chelmsford, Mass. Music was an important part of both Al and Inez French’s life. This was especially true in Al’s final days and hours. Mr. French established a Music Fund at the Mark Wentworth Home to ensure that others can benefit from the healing power of music. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift in honor of Albert Joseph French, Jr. to the Mark Wentworth Home Music Fund, 346 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801. More information on giving at: http://markwentworth.org/giving-2/ Visitation was held- Time: 4-7 P.M. Date: Friday, April 5, 2013 Location: Remick & Gendron Funeral Home Address: 811 Lafayette Road , Hampton Directions to Visitation Services were held - Time: 6:30 P.M. Date: Friday, April 5, 2013 Location: Remick & Gendron Funeral Home Address: 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton Directions to Service Interment - Location: Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, April 6, 2013 at 12 noon

Albert Joseph French Jr.

January 30, 1927 - March 24, 2013