The Reverend Donald J. French
The Reverend Donald J. French, age 65, of Hamden, passed away on Saturday, November 29th, 2014 at the Mary Wade Home in New Haven. Born in West Hartford, the son of the late Lorraine French, he grew up in Stratford and Milford and attended local schools there. After studies at St. John's Seminary in Boston, he was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1976. He served as Assistant Pastor at St. Mary, Newington; St. John the Baptist, New Haven; and St. Mary, Derby. He was pastor of St. Francis, New Haven; St. Brendan, New Haven; and Blessed Sacrament, Hamden. He also worked with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he taught Latin and helped establish their seminary library. He retired in 2012. Fr. French leaves no survivors. Friends are invited to Fr. French's visitation on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM in the Blessed Sacrament Church, 321 Circular Ave, Hamden. followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM to be celebrated by the Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of Hartford. Interment will be private. Arrangements are in care of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden. Contributions in Fr. French's memory may be made to: Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, http://fssp.com/press ,119 Griffin Road, Elmhurst Township, PA 18444.
Father French had a great sense of humor and wit that will be greatly missed. When we were married in Blessed Sacrament Church in 2004, my wife handed her flowers to the alter boy, who was supposed to place them on a table as the ceremony began. But the alter boy froze and just stood there with the flowers. After giving him a couple seconds, Father French quietly said .you know, you look lovely, but you can put the flowers on the table.. Classic. I’m sure many parishioners have similar, fun stories.
May you rest in peace father. I remember you when I was a child at St. Brendan’s school. I’m 29 years old now and my mother in law mentioned you one day. My family has you in their thoughts and prayers. Im sure the students and families from St. Brendan’s has you in your thoughts as well.
May you rest in Peace Fr. French and know that you were loved by many of your parishioners. We will continue to remember you daily in our prayers.
Thank you for your friendship and compassion when it was needed most. May you rest in Peace.
You have been called home to our Father,time for rest. Thank-you for your unselfish journey on earth. Rest in peace. The Stratton Family