Justin G. French

Justin G. French

AGE: 90 • New Monmouth, Middletown Twp

Justin G. French, 90, Of New Monmouth, Middletown Twp, NJ

Passed away peacefully in the comforting presence of his loving family at his residence on Saturday, March 19, 2016. He was born in Elizabeth, NJ to Francis E. and Julia Ryan French and resided there before moving to Middletown Twp. In 1956. Mr. French was employed by the Esso/Exxon Corp. in Linden, NJ where he worked as a Supervising Contract Coordinator and Electrician/Lineman for 36 years and retired in 1981. He was also a veteran of World War 2 serving in the US Navy from 1942 - 1945 on the USS Menifee in the South Pacific participating in the invasion of Okinawa and the relief effort for Japan. Mr. French was a communicant of St. Mary's RC Church in New Monmouth and was a founding member of the St. Mary's -Middletown Youth Athletic Association. He was a proud little league coach for St. Mary's Youth Athletic Association and a founding volunteer of the St. Mary's Great Fair of Middletown, NJ. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council of St. Mary's Parish in Elizabeth, NJ, and the 3 time National Champion Team of the Exxon Fire & Rescue Squad. Mr. French was very active with the Exxon Annuitant Travel Group and he and his loving wife Loretta have traveled extensively and been on many grand adventures together. They became snow-birds and also enjoyed family & friends, golfing, gardening, the beach and especially his 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons. Mr. French had an exuberance for life that was felt by anyone in his presence, especially his large, close knit family. Justin was known to be in the company of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren telling tall tales, jokes or heroic stories of his time on the USS Menifee, all over a cup of tea. He leaves his family with treasured memories and a deep appreciation for life. Mr. French was predeceased by his son William French in 1988, his parents, Edward and Julia (Ryan) French, 2 brothers, Edward & Raymond and 6 sisters, Mary, Clare, Peggy, Ronnie, Sister Miriam SBS (Eleanor) and Sister Justin SBS (Rita).

Mr. French is survived by his wife of 66 years, Loretta Leonard French, 4 sons, Justin Jr. "Jerry" (Kitty) French of Oceanport, Richard French, of Middletown, Edward (Kathy) French of Naples, Fla. and Robert (Laura) French of Middletown. 3 daughters, Ellen Bloom-Rau (Kenneth) of Middletown, Theresa Dodds (John) of Wall Twp. and Loretta Bruch (Joseph) of Middletown. Also 14 grandchildren, Bryan, Jessica, Emma, Shawn, Christopher, Ashley, Taylor, Lisa, Shannon, Patrick, Madison, Adrienne, Alex and Alyssa along with 2 great grandsons, Kellen and Nolan. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Wednesday, at 10:30 AM from the St. Mary's RC Chapel, Leonardville Rd. New Monmouth, Middletown.

Relatives & friends are invited to call at Posten's Funeral Home, 59 E. Lincoln Ave. at Central & E. Garfield Ave. Atlantic Highlands, NJ on Tuesday, 2-4 & 7-9 PM. (www.Postensfuneralhome.com) Interment services are private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Meridian Health Affiliated Foundation, (Hospice) 1345 Campus Pkwy, Suite A-2, Neptune, NJ 07753. Messages of condolences may be e-mailed to Postens@comcast.net and will be received by the family.