Obituary: Gary Steven French

February 3, 1951 - October 14, 2022

October 28, 2022

Gary Steven French / courtesy photo

Update: This post was updated with the correct town for the Waterville Elks Lodge.

Gary Steven French, 71, of South China, Maine, passed peacefully on October 14, 2022, at Maine VA Medical Center Togus. Gary was born in Morrisville, Vermont, on February 3, 1951. He graduated from Harwood Union High School on June 11, 1970. He then entered the U.S. Army that August where he became a nuclear weapons specialist in atomic demolition, arming and disarming bombs during the Vietnam War until 1973. Upon returning from Germany, he was employed at many types of jobs until he completed the Vermont state apprenticeship with the Construction Training Council and Pizzagalli Construction Company on August 31, 1981. He learned carpentry, welding, transit and laser reading, as well as commercial concrete work. In 1982, Gary started his own construction business working for several farms in Central Maine where he made lifelong friends.

Gary was a family man who always had something for the kids. He married Marcia Dickey in 1977, but Gary's most joyous moment in life was the birth of his son, Travis Allan French in 1979.

In 1986 he began the job of his dreams where he could have his shadow, Travis, with him every day. He started a career with Maersk Inc. as a property manager for a vacation home in South China, Maine, where a new adventure began. Maintaining the property included carpentry, landscaping, mechanics, hospitality management, forest, and wildlife conservation.

Gary is survived by wife Marcia, son Travis and daughter-in-law Danielle DeRocher French, grandson Wyatt, granddaughter Clara; sisters Penny Carpenter, Kim Guyette and her husband Bill, brother Richard Griffin, and many nieces and nephews who all held a special place in his heart.

There will be a celebration to share memories on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 1 p.m. at the Waterville Elks Lodge #905 in Waterville, Maine. There will be snacks, stories, and a cash bar. In lieu of flowers, please come share your memories.

Online condolences may be posted on the obituary published on the website of Direct Cremation Maine in Belfast, Maine, which is handling arrangements.