Obituary of Richard J. French

Richard J. French Richard J. French, a resident of Poughkeepsie, entered into rest Sunday, January 17, 2010 at St. Francis Hospital, Poughkeepsie. He was 85. Son of the late Clarence and Anna Lowery French, he was born August 14, 1924 in Poughkeepsie. Richard proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Army. On June 29, 1952 at St. Mary's Church, Poughkeepsie he married the former Ruth Ostrander. Mrs. French preceded him in death on January 7, 2001. Prior to his retirement he worked as a Finisher for Kem Plastic Playing Cards in Poughkeepsie. Richard enjoyed woodworking in his spare time and was an avid fisherman. He also volunteered with Cystic Fibrosis. Richard was a parishioner of St. Mary's Church, Wappingers Falls and attended Mount Alvernia, Wappingers Falls. Survivors include his daughter, Patricia A. Colgan of Lagrangeville; his son-in-law, William Colgan of Hopewell Junction; his brother, Thomas French and his wife, Ann of North Carolina; his two grandsons, Thomas Colgan and his wife, Tina and Matthew Colgan; a great-grandson on the way and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his son, Thomas French and sister, Mary Holden. Family and friends will gather at 9 am on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. at the funeral home on Thursday. Interment will follow in the family plot at St. Peter's Cemetery, Salt Point Turnpike, Poughkeepsie. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 205 East 42nd Street, Suite 1821, New York, NY 10017. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.