ANNISQUAM: Hollis French II, 85, died Saturday, May 11, 2013 in the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers following a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Helene “Linette” (Peter) French.
Born in Springfield on May 16, 1927, he was the son of the late Alden and Eleanor (Brand) French. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Hollis was honorably discharged in July 1946. He was a graduate of Harvard College class of 1950. He resided in Manchester-by-the-Sea before moving to Annisquam in 1975, where he and his family had summered for many years.
Hollis was the President of Johnny Appleseed’s for fifteen years before his retirement in 1989. He was also a life member and past Commodore of the Annisquam Yacht Club.
In addition to his wife of 58 years, he is survived by his children, Peter B. French and his wife, Sue; Sarah French Wilkins and her husband, Stephen; and Hollis French III and his wife, Rosemary; ten grandchildren, Nicole D. French, Peter B. French, Jr., Stacey French McManus, Christopher B. French, Nicholas F. Wilkins, Jennifer M. Wilkins, Susannah H. Wilkins, Emily French, Louisa French and Katharine H. French; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, John B. French and his wife, Deborah; a sister-in-law, Janot Ruggles and her husband, Tom; a brother-in-law, Georges Peter, MD and his wife, Carolyn and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also predeceased by his twin brothers, Peter B. and Alden French, Jr.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 18th in the Annisquam Village Church, 820 Washington St., Gloucester at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Addison Gilbert Hospital, c/o Cindy Donaldson, 298 Washington St., Gloucester, MA 01930 or to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, MA 01923.