William C. French Jr.

Scarborough, ME – William Correll French Jr., 93, of Topsham died Monday, June 13, 2011 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. He was the husband of the late Patricia (Alvord) French, who died in 2002.

Bill was born in Winsted, CT on August 6, 1917, the only child of the late William C. & Myrtle (Lind) French Sr. He attended schools in Winsted, graduated from Gilbert High School, and received a BS in Business Administration from Syracuse University in 1941.

In 1942 Bill began working for United Technologies, formerly United Aircraft, in East Hartford, CT. This was the beginning of a 33 year career in which he worked in various capacities in the Field Service Dept., CANEL (Connecticut Atomic Nuclear Energy Lab) in Middletown, CT and TP&M (Turbo Power & Marie) Division in Farmington, CT.

In 1943 Bill married Patricia Alvord, also of Winsted. During their 59 years together they lived in the south during the war years, and settled in Glastonbury, Conn. for 35 years.   In 1985 they moved to Yarmouth, ME which enabled them to enjoy more time in their summer home in Southport, ME.

After retiring from United Technologies in 1975, Bill became the president of Fuel Conditioning Systems, a subsidiary of Seaworthy Systems, Inc., in Centerbrook, CT. As President and Chief of Sales, he happily cruised the interstates for the next 20 years.

Bill will be remembered for his zest for life and adventurous spirit. He was happiest when he was driving –first as a 16 year old chauffer for his future Grandmother in-law, up and down the interstate from Conn. to Maine, or at the helm of the Maine Channels, cruising the Sheepscott River.

Bill is survived by his son Stephen A. French and his wife Diane of Alexandria, VA; his daughters Elizabeth F. VanGundy and her husband Dr. Gregory of Wells, ME; and Jeanne F. Smith and her husband Dr. Donald of Livingston, MT. He also leaves five grandchildren: Lisa Ulm and her husband Aaron of Somerset, NJ; David French, Chicago, IL; Katherine Nelson and her husband Steve both of Chicago, IL; Tyler VanGundy of New York, NY; and Matthew Smith and his wife Samantha of Wilder, ID. In addition he leaves four great grandchildren, Cali and Carsten Smith, Allison Ulm and Siri Nelson. Bill’s family would also like to thank Barbara Thompson, whose companionship touched Bill’s lust for life, as they enjoyed a wonderful year together.

A celebration of Bill’s life will occur later in the summer.

Arrangements are under the direction of Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services of Portland, 981 Forest Ave. Portland, ME.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory can be made to:

Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation.

The Foundation gives all children of Southport the opportunity to learn to sail.

P. O. Box 68

Southport, ME 04576

Or

Gosnell Memorial Hospice House

11 Hunnewell Road

Scarborough, ME 04074