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Jean Le Gall Obituary
April 9, 1924 - January 6, 2022
Pleasanton
Beloved husband and father Jean (John) Le Gall, 97, of Palo Alto, California, passed away on January 6, 2022.
Jean Le Gall was a self-made man in every sense. Born on a small farm in the village of Ty Moter Vras in Brittany, France, much of his youth was spent under the cloud of WWII. He played a part in the French Resistance and after the war, joined the French army in French Indochina, where he spent 3 years as a morse code operator. After completing his military service, with only a third-grade education and fifty dollars to his name, he left his native France for New York City at the age of 29 to embark on a new life.
After finding work, Jean enrolled in English classes and quickly became proficient with his new language. He found work as a server in cafés and later in renown restaurants, where he was recognized for excellence. During this time, he completed his high school equivalency diploma after which he enrolled at the City College of New York. After earning his BS diploma in Solid State Physics, Jean joined Transitron Electronics in Boston. There, he met and married his wife Micheline. He also became a proud US citizen.
Two years later, Jean and Micheline moved to Palo Alto, California, where Jean went to work in the R&D division at Fairchild Semiconductor. He studied in the evenings and received his MS in Solid State Electronics from San Jose State University. Jean served as president of the "Ingenieurs et Scientifiques de France (ISF)" Bay Area chapter for 25 years; he was recognized by the French government for his leadership and was awarded the "Croix de Chevalier de L'Ordre Nationale du Merite" in 1975.
Jean retired in 1997 from Philips Semiconductors (formerly Signetics) after a career marked with accomplishment and achievement. He and Micheline spent the next many years traveling, entertaining, tending to his garden and enjoying their Palo Alto home. On the back patio, good times prevailed as friends and family shared Jean's passion for wine, oysters, a rare filet mignon or seared ahi, and Micheline's wonderful desserts.
Jean is survived by his loving spouse of 59 years, Micheline, and their two children, Carole Le Gall and Annick Le Gall (Adam Ratner). He also leaves behind his much-loved granddaughter Emma Ratner and his beloved sister, Oliva Masse.
A celebration of Jean's life will be held at a future date (TBD). Please email [email protected] for additional information or to contact the Le Gall family directly.
View the online memorial for Jean Louis Le Gall
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Memories and Condolences
for Jean Le Gall
Sponsored by East Bay Times.
Rich Hauser
February 14, 2022
My sincerest condolences to the family. I really don't know anyone who didn't find John an amazing, caring, smart and witty gentleman. He had such a wonderful impact on those of us lucky to have worked with him.
Annick and Carole
January 25, 2022
Clarification
Email us for details regarding the Ceremony of Life.
[email protected]
(No hyphen )
Annick and Carole
January 25, 2022
Dear Friends,
Please email [email protected] for additional details regarding the Celebration of Life that we will be planning. Thank you!
Helene Chan
January 24, 2022
Chères Micheline, Carole, Annick et famille,
Je tiens à vous envoyer ce mot pour vous exprimer ma tristesse et vous apporter mon soutien. Jean était un homme doux, généreux et très apprécié de son entourage et surtout de ses amis de l´AATF-NC. Jean était un ami que j´appréciais énormément : son enthousiasme, son entrain et sa gentillesse m´ont apporté beaucoup de joie de vivre. Il nous accueillait toujours à bras ouverts à toutes nos réunions du Conseil Exécutif de l´AATF-NC dans son domicile à Palo Alto. Nous avons toujours eu beaucoup d´estime et de considération à son égard. Il nous manquera beaucoup. Nos pensées et nos prières vous accompagnent dans cette terrible épreuve. Veuillez recevoir nos sincères condoléances.
Affectueusement,
Hélène Chan
Helene W Chan
January 24, 2022
Chères Micheline, Carole, Annick et famille,
Je tiens à vous envoyer ce mot pour vous exprimer ma tristesse et vous apporter mon soutien. Jean était un homme doux, généreux et très apprécié de son entourage et surtout de ses amis de l´AATF-NC. Jean était un ami que j´appréciais énormément : son enthousiasme, son entrain et sa gentillesse m´ont apporté beaucoup de joie de vivre. Il nous accueillait toujours à bras ouverts à toutes nos réunions du Conseil Exécutif de l´AATF-NC dans son domicile à Palo Alto. Nous avons toujours eu beaucoup d´estime et de considération à son égard. Il nous manquera beaucoup. Nos pensées et nos prières vous accompagnent dans cette terrible épreuve. Veuillez recevoir nos sincères condoléances.
Affectueusement,
Hélène Chan
Hervé Le Mansec
January 24, 2022
Ma chère Micheline,
J' apprends à l' instant que Jean nous a quittés. Je vous présente, ainsi qu' à toute la famille Le Gall, nos plus sincères condoléances. Jean était un homme bien sympathique, honnête et "droit" que nous regrettons déjà. Un vrai Breton.
Hervé Le Mansec
Jack Granger Palmtag
Indian Wells, CA
USA
Bernard Moreau
January 23, 2022
Toutes nos condoléances a Micheline et a la famille. Le bon temps de L'AATF et de l'Alliance Française ou Micheline était si active, et ou Jean était toujours un hôte patient et enjoué. Bernard (ex attache linguistique du Consulat) et Raoul
Bill Full
January 23, 2022
Sorry to learn of John's passing. He worked for me for several years at Signetics. I have many fond memories of him from those times. John was a man of great integrity and knowledge in the field of semiconductors. Please let me know when you plan a tribute to John. I have shared the obituary in the San Jose Mercury News with many co-workers at Signetics/Philips Semiconductors.
Bill Full
The Staff of Graham-Hitch Mortuary
January 22, 2022
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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