Donald
Donald L. French
d. March 6, 2011
Donald L. French
Hornell
Donald LaVerne French, 81, peacefully passed away Sunday (March 6, 2011) after a long battle with kidney failure and pulmonary fibrosis.
Born in Bath, June 23, 1929, to Marshall C. and Elma (Crane) French, Don was a 1947 graduate of Haverling High School and attended Alfred State Agricultural and Technical College. He proudly served in the United States Coast Guard from 1948-1952. In 1957, he married his wife of 54 years, Gertrude Hooker, who survives. They lived in Avoca for many years, moving to Hornell in 1980, where he built their home on Tobes Hill.
Don worked for Clark Specialty Company in Hammondsport and for Tire World of Bath, before becoming the owner and operator of Tire World of Hornell in 1970. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and avid racecar fan, working on the pit crew of "Dutch " Hoag. Upon his retirement, Don became interested in hiking and bowling and became the 151st hiker to complete the entire 562 miles of Finger Lakes Trail on August 18, 2002 at the age of 72. Four years later, in the face of lung and kidney disease, he completed all 340 miles of the Finer Lakes Branch Trails as well as maintaining a portion of the Finger Lakes Trail in Hornell. Not one to be idle, Don could be found watching car races, hiking, riding his motorcycle, attending auctions or working outside. During quiet times, he enjoyed reading and jigsaw puzzles.
He was a lifetime member and past Master of the Avoca Masonic Lodge, the Corning Consistory the Rochester Shriners, member and past president of the Hornell Kiwanis and a Lifetime member of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference.
Don was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Howard (Sandy) of Tennessee and Robert of Virginia, as well as his beloved hiking dog "Spike".
He is survived by his wife, Gertrude, daughter Kimberly (Terry) Meacham, son Jeffery, grandson, Joshua (Carly) Meacham, brothers, Harold (Betty) of Bath and Floyd (Nancy) of Prattsburg, as well as several nieces and nephews.
To send a remembrance to the family, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com . The family is being assisted by Gerald R. Brown, Director.
The family will be present to receive friends from 11 AM until 1 PM Friday (March 11, 2011 at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo Street Hornell, where funeral services will immediately follow calling hours at 1 PM with Rev. David Kilgore officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St. James Mercy Dialysis Unit or the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, 6111 Visitors Center Road, Mt. Morris, NY 14510. Contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Hornell
Donald LaVerne French, 81, peacefully passed away Sunday (March 6, 2011) after a long battle with kidney failure and pulmonary fibrosis.
Born in Bath, June 23, 1929, to Marshall C. and Elma (Crane) French, Don was a 1947 graduate of Haverling High School and attended Alfred State Agricultural and Technical College. He proudly served in the United States Coast Guard from 1948-1952. In 1957, he married his wife of 54 years, Gertrude Hooker, who survives. They lived in Avoca for many years, moving to Hornell in 1980, where he built their home on Tobes Hill.
Don worked for Clark Specialty Company in Hammondsport and for Tire World of Bath, before becoming the owner and operator of Tire World of Hornell in 1970. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and avid racecar fan, working on the pit crew of "Dutch " Hoag. Upon his retirement, Don became interested in hiking and bowling and became the 151st hiker to complete the entire 562 miles of Finger Lakes Trail on August 18, 2002 at the age of 72. Four years later, in the face of lung and kidney disease, he completed all 340 miles of the Finer Lakes Branch Trails as well as maintaining a portion of the Finger Lakes Trail in Hornell. Not one to be idle, Don could be found watching car races, hiking, riding his motorcycle, attending auctions or working outside. During quiet times, he enjoyed reading and jigsaw puzzles.
He was a lifetime member and past Master of the Avoca Masonic Lodge, the Corning Consistory the Rochester Shriners, member and past president of the Hornell Kiwanis and a Lifetime member of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference.
Don was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Howard (Sandy) of Tennessee and Robert of Virginia, as well as his beloved hiking dog "Spike".
He is survived by his wife, Gertrude, daughter Kimberly (Terry) Meacham, son Jeffery, grandson, Joshua (Carly) Meacham, brothers, Harold (Betty) of Bath and Floyd (Nancy) of Prattsburg, as well as several nieces and nephews.
To send a remembrance to the family, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com . The family is being assisted by Gerald R. Brown, Director.
The family will be present to receive friends from 11 AM until 1 PM Friday (March 11, 2011 at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo Street Hornell, where funeral services will immediately follow calling hours at 1 PM with Rev. David Kilgore officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St. James Mercy Dialysis Unit or the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, 6111 Visitors Center Road, Mt. Morris, NY 14510. Contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald L. French, please visit our flower store.
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