Donald F. French
Loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend
Donald F. French, age 94, formerly of Tewksbury, passed away peacefully at Elms Physical Rehab Center
in Milford, NH on April 14, 2017.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.
Born in Tewksbury on June 16, 1922, he was the son of the late Jesse J. and Irma A. (Taylor) French.
He was raised in Tewksbury where he attended Tewksbury schools and went on to study at Stockbridge
School of Agriculture.
Don and his wife Virginia (Ginny) made their home in Tewksbury to bring up their
three children. Virginia predeceased him on February 8, 1977.
While living in Tewksbury, both he and Virginia were members of the Tewksbury Congregational Church. He later moved to Peterborough, NH when he married his current wife, Iona French.
Don was a well-known poultry farmer who delivered fresh eggs and chickens to families throughout the
Greater Lowell and Tewksbury area. After he closed his business, he worked for many years for his
brother Alvin, at Tewksbury Transit Bus Company until he retired.
Don loved his family and many friends as well as watching the Boston sports teams, especially the Red
Sox. He enjoyed spending many winters at his home in Clearwater, Florida enjoying golf, the beach,
playing cards, bocce, and dancing. Don was a great storyteller and had an amazing memory for details.
He loved to play cribbage in Peterborough, where he and Iona started a cribbage club.
In addition to his wife Iona, Don is survived by his son, Richard French and his wife Sarah of San Diego,
CA, his daughters, Carlene Iacuessa and her husband Mark of Gill, MA, Cynthia Hartmann and her
husband, Addison of Windham, NH, and a step daughter, Deardra Gladu of Keene, NH. His Grandchildren
include, Heather French of Nashua, NH, Laura Keramidas and her husband Peter of Westlake Village, CA,
Geoffrey Iacuessa and his wife Kristie of South Portland, ME, Carrie Gross and her husband Matt of
Concord, NH, Bill Marshall and his wife Tara of Hudson, NH, Jessica Marshall of Windham, NH, Hannah
Hartmann and her husband Casey Grenier of Colorado Springs, Co, Ashley MacKenzie and her husband,
Patrick of Los Angeles, CA, James MacDonald of San Diego, CA. He is also survived by four great
grandsons, Hudson Iacuessa of South Portland, ME, Jackson and Maxwell Gross of Concord, NH and Liam
Marshall of Hudson, NH. Don also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and extended family
members.
He was predeceased by his two brothers Gilbert and Alvin French of Tewksbury, a grandson
Christopher Gladu, and daughter-in-law, Carol French.
Don was a genuinely kind and happy man always with a big smile. “Happy people don’t have the best of
everything; they make the best of everything."
Funeral services arranged by the Farmer and Dee Funeral Home will be private at the Tewksbury
Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made in Don’s name to Peterborough Fire and Rescue, 16
Summer St. Peterborough, NH 03458