EASTBROOK – Gerald E. French, 85, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005, at an Ellsworth healthcare facility. He was born Nov. 23, 1919, in Eastbrook, the son of Henry A. and Gertrude H. (Jordan) French. Gerald served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was involved in the battles and campaigns at Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons, New Guinea and Luzon. He was recipient of the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, among other ribbons and special recognition. Following the war, Gerald worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he was involved with the design of the interior of submarines. He retired from the Shipyard in the early 1970’s and stayed active with the U.S. Army Reserves until retiring from military service in 1979. After his retirement, Gerald worked as a carpenter and spent winters traveling to Florida with his wife, Marjorie. He was a member of the Franklin Veteran’s Club, the American Legion Post No. 63 in Ellsworth and the VFW Post No. 109 in Ellsworth. Gerald enjoyed hunting, fishing and taking walks in the woods. He was an avid chess player and reader. Gerald is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marjorie E. (White) French of Eastbrook; five children, Robert French and his wife, Ellen, of Tarboro, N.C., William French and his wife, Jeannie, of Eastbrook, Cynthia Brown and her husband, John, of Milo, Gloria Kelley of Eastbrook and Warren French and his wife, Sabrina, of Lebanon; 11 grandchildren; 15 great- grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends are invited to visit with the family 6-8 p.m. Monday, at the Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, 215 Main St., Ellsworth. Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the Sunnyside Cemetery, Eastbrook with full military honors, the Rev. Randall Wilbur, officiating. Gifts in memory of Gerald may be sent to the Eastbrook Volunteer Fire Department, Eastbrook, ME 04634.
GERALD E. FRENCH
