Eugene W. French ’43

Eugene W. French, St. Albans, VT, died June 17, 2023, at the age of 101. At a young age, Gene was a devoted Catholic and sports enthusiast. He served as an altar boy for the Roman Catholic Sisters of Charity and had a passion for baseball. He was a graduate of Cathedral High School in Albany, NY, where he played football, basketball and baseball. His commitment and competitiveness for the game served him well, as in 1939 he received a baseball scholarship to Saint Michael’s College where he pursued a degree in education.

Drafted in late 1942 during World War II, Gene graduated early from Saint Michael’s “cum laude” in January 1943 under the wartime accelerated program. He married Mona Larry, January 18, 1943, and entered the armed forces in February. He proudly served as private, Second Lieutenant, then commissioned Captain in World War II (1943-1946), receiving two purple hearts and two bronze stars for “courage, aggressive leadership and loyal devotion to duty.”

Upon returning home to St. Albans, he began writing as a sports editor for the St. Albans Daily Messenger. Six months later he was appointed a teacher-coach position at St. Mary’s Catholic High School (1946-1948) where he taught an array of subjects and coached football, basketball and baseball.

Gene started the first National Guard Company in St. Albans (1946), serving as company commander until 1951 during the Korean War. Furthering his own education, he completed training courses in insurance and began his affiliation with Equitable Life Assurance Co of New York (1948). This was the beginning of a lifetime career. Gene opened his own insurance agency in St. Albans “French Insurance and Real Estate” (1954-1971).

He made his family home in St. Albans until 1971 when he and his wife moved to Florida. There Gene continued his career in Real Estate with A.J. Richter & Co., Inc., and Kinzler Real Estate. With the loss of his son and wife in the late 1990s, Gene moved back to Vermont where he resided with his daughter for the past 20 plus years. Gene enjoyed reading the newspaper daily and playing golf at the Champlain Country Club with his buddies and sons, and he loved seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren take interest in the game. He was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Mary’s Parish where he religiously attended Mass with his daughters.

He loved a good meal on Saturday nights at many local restaurants, but most of all enjoyed the time that he spent with his family.

Gene was a leader and active member of his community; affiliated with many clubs and organizations; American Legion Green Mountain, Post No.1; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No. 758; St. Albans Rotary Club; Knights of Columbus Council, No 297; Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree Assembly; Owls Club; St. Albans City Grange; County Chairman of the Red Cross; Industrial Committee; President of Chamber of Commerce (1960-1962); St. Albans Bicentennial Deputy Chairman; Candidate for Senate; Candidate for City Representative; Champlain Country Club; and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

A son predeceased him in 1998, and Gene’s wife, Mona, died in 1999 He is survived by three sons, three daughters, and extended family including grandchildren Daniel Branon M’02, Heather Brown ’10, current student Morgan Bourdeau ’25, and also Selena Allard Senesac ’95 (the wife of his grandson).
To read the full obituary, click here: https://www.samessenger.com/obituaries/eugene-gene-walter-french/article_52292a21-9eac-5b10-bff6-2068554a39eb.html