...machinist, model maker, WW2 Veteran; 87
TEWKSBURY - Edward George French, age 87, a resident of Tewksbury for over fifty years, died Sunday afternoon, February 12, at a Lowell nursing center following a short period of declining health. He was the beloved husband of Carolyn Jane (Tilden) French, with whom he had celebrated a 63rd wedding anniversary this past December 4th.
He was born in Chelsea, September 9, 1924, one of seven children of the late Edward and Daisy Blanche (Snow) French. He was raised in Chelsea and Revere.
During WWII, he enlisted into the Army Air Corps, and served as a Flight Engineer and Gunner aboard B-17's, over Italy and Germany. He successfully completed 35 missions, and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.
He moved to Tewksbury in 1959, to raise his family.
He was employed as a machinist and a model maker for Laboratory for Electronics in Waltham. Throughout his life he was an inventor and tinkerer both at work and as a hobby at home.
He will be remembered for having devoted his life to his family.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Edward G. French Jr. of Tyngsboro, Robert E. French and his wife Beverly (Ysebaert) of FL; a daughter, Susan Stewart and her husband David of Tewksbury; six grandchildren, Joshua French of CA, Christopher French of FL, Trevor French of FL, Jared French of FL, David Stewart of Tewksbury and Timothy Stewart of Lowell; two great grandchildren, Jessi and Anthony; a brother, Elmer French and his wife Virginia of Revere; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also brother of the late Mary C. Abrams, John French, Elizabeth Tilden, Elsie Veilleux, and Donald French.
His Memorial Service was held Saturday, February 18, in the funeral home. Burial at Puritan Lawn in Peabody was private. Memorials to the Friends of the Elderly, c/o Tewksbury Senior Center, 175 Chandler St. Tewksbury, MA 01876, will be appreciated.