Salem….Francis R. J. Gadenne, 84 of Salem died Monday, December 5, 2016 in his home surrounded by his family. He was the devoted husband of Therese Renee Albertine (Gabant) Gadenne.
Francis was born in the town of La Madeleine near Lille in the north of France, son of the late Ernest Gadenne and Henriette (Broucqsault) Gadenne. Following World War II and as a teenager, he became involved in the Scouts de France, an outdoors youth and leadership organization. He rose to a leadership position in the local group where he met his wife Therese, who was also active in the Guides de France. After the war, housing was scarce and Francis’ and Therese’s young household in Lille became a central point for many family members to gather.
Prior to arriving in the United States, Francis had an active marketing career in France’s textile industry, including several years as the Chief Operating Officer for France’s third largest tablecloth manufacturer at the time. In 1986, he and Therese moved to the Boston area to live closer to their two children, who had moved to the United States to pursue their graduate education. Once here, Francis and Therese operated a French day care for a number of years, imparting the gift of language to many young students.
Francis was intelligent and curious about the world. He had a keen eye for humor, always delivering an insight or clever quip with his signature dry wit. He will be deeply missed by his family and is survived by his wife of more than sixty years, Therese Gadenne, his son, Francois and his wife Lucie Gadenne and his daughter, Dr. Anne-Sophie Gadenne-Blanco and her husband Dr. Ramon Blanco and his dear six grandchildren.
A private interment was held with close family members in early December at the Star of the Sea Cemetery in Marblehead. Assisting his family with arrangements is the Levesque Funeral Home of Salem. Condolences may be sent to www.LevesqueFunerals.com