Eugene “Gene” Walter French
Eugene “Gene” Walter French, age 101, passed away Saturday, June 17, 2023. He was born on November 4th,1921 in Albany, NY, the son of the late Cornelius French & Helen French Nolan.
At a young age, Gene was a devoted Catholic and sports enthusiast. He served as an altar boy for the Roman Catholic Sisters of Charity and had a passion for baseball. He was a graduate of Albany’s Cathedral High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball. His commitment and competitiveness for the game served him well, as he was granted a baseball scholarship to Saint Michael’s College in 1939, where he pursued a degree in Education. He was drafted in late 1942 as World War II was launched. Gene graduated early from St. Michael’s College “cum laude” in January 1943 under the wartime accelerated program. He married Mona Larry, on January 18, 1943, and entered the armed forces in February. He proudly served as private, Second Lieutenant, then commissioned Captain during World War II (1943-1946), receiving two purple hearts and two bronze stars for “courage, aggressive leadership, and loyal devotion to duty”.
Upon returning home to St. Albans, he began writing as a sports editor for the St. Albans Daily Messenger. Six months later he was appointed a teacher-coach position at St. Mary’s Catholic High School (1946-1948) where he taught an array of subjects and coached football, basketball, and baseball. Gene started the first National Guard Company in St. Albans, (1946), where he served as company commander until 1951 during the Korean War.
Furthering his own education, Gene completed training courses in insurance and began his affiliation with Equitable Life Assurance Co. of NY (1948). This was the beginning of a lifetime career as Gene opened his own insurance agency in St. Albans, French Insurance and Real Estate (1954-1971). Gene & Mona made St. Albans their home where they raised their seven children Diane, Michael, Helen, Nancy, David, John, and Eugene “Jay”. In 1971, Gene and Mona moved to Florida where Gene continued his career in Real Estate with A.J. Richter & Co. Inc. and Kinzler Real Estate.
With the loss of his son Jay (1998) and his wife Mona (1999), Gene moved back to Vermont where he resided with his daughter Helen & Daniel Branon for the past 20 plus years. Gene enjoyed reading the newspaper daily and playing golf at the Champlain Country Club with his buddies Frank MacNeil, John Willson, and Frank Horan, and his sons Michael, David, and John. He loved seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren take an interest in the game.
Gene was a devoted Catholic and member of the St. Mary’s Parish where he religiously attended mass with his daughters Nancy & Helen. He loved a good meal on Saturday nights at many local restaurants but most of all enjoyed the time that he spent with his family. To say he was proud would be an understatement. Gene was a leader and active member of his community. He was affiliated with many clubs and organizations including American Legion Green Mountain, Post No.1, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 758, St. Albans Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus Council No 297, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly, Owls Club, St. Albans City Grange, County Chairman of the Red Cross, Industrial Committee, President of Chamber of Commerce (1960-1962), St. Albans Bicentennial Deputy Chairman, Candidate for Senate, Candidate for City Representative, Champlain Country Club, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Gene is survived by his children Diane Dillon of CA, Michael (Tracy) French of Essex Jct., Helen (Daniel) Branon of Fairfield, Nancy (Mark) Senesac of Fairfax, David (Valerie) French of Fairfax, John French of Bakersfield.
His grandchildren: Neally French, Cris (Emily) French, Taylor French, Daniel (Grace) Branon, Eugene (Desiree) Branon, Mona (Nick) Lemieux, Matthew (Holly) Branon, Adam (Jessica) Branon, Russell (Selena) Senesac, Angela (Chris) Baker, Jennifer (Taber) Gagne, Jacey (Peter) Garceau, Brian Senesac, Landon (Kristie) French, Kelly French, Heather (Dayton) Brown, Brittany (Daren) Rivard, Carita (Chris) Jettie. His great-grandchildren: Carl V, Sophia, Izacco; Cris Jr.; Quinley; Kayleigh, Kaleb, Isaac, Riley; Morgan, Connor, Moriah, Cole, Lexie; Reed; Cathryn, Anna, Matthew, Luke; Gracie; Madison, Molly; Thomas; Hunter, Wyatt; Shawn, Alyvia; Jackson, Kaylee, Levi; Dawson, Kambrie, Ryder, Bristol; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife Mona and son Eugene “Jay,” he was predeceased by his parents, siblings Sister Marjorie French, Jane (John) Rowe, Emory (Jeanette) French, Dolores (Matthew) Whalen, sister-in-law & brothers-in-law John (Dorothy) Larry, Betty (George) Kell.
There will be no public calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 11 am at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 245 Lake St., St. Albans, with the Reverend Father Christopher Micale as celebrant. Prayers of committal and interment at Holy Cross Cemetery with full Military Honors will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in the form of Masses in Gene’s memory to Holy Angels Parish, 246 Lake St., St. Albans, VT 05478 or to Martha’s Kitchen, 139 Lake St., St. Albans, VT 05478.
Messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com
