SPRUCE HEAD – Donald G. ‘Don’ French, 88, died, following an extended illness, Sunday, July 1, 2018 at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport 

Born in Rockland, January 24, 1930 he was the only child of Gardner and Vera Maker French.  Educated locally, Don was a 1947 graduate of Rockland High School.  

Following graduation, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army with the goal of becoming a paratrooper.  Achieving this goal, he served 26 years in the Army, including two tours in Vietnam and one in Korea.  

While in the Army, he married Louise Connolly.  Together they raised two children, Lisa and Donald, Jr.  Mrs. French passed away in 1998.  

After retiring from the Army, he kept busy working as a delivery driver for U.P.S.  He took great pride and enjoyment in this positon for over 21 years.  

Later in life Don married Madelyn Weeks Leonard on May 1, 2008.  Together they have resided in Spruce Head their entire married life.  Here Don has also served as the co-owner of McLoon’s Warf.  

Predeceased by a grandson, Don Michael French; Don is survived by his wife, Madelyn French, of Spruce Head; his children, Lisa Casey and her husband, John, of Rayford, N.C.; Donald French, Jr. of Keller, Texas; one grandson Tony Bell and his wife, Heather, of Carey, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Jake, Luke and Katelyn Bell; his step-children, Cheryl Pease and her husband Willard ‘Skip’ of Spruce Head; Rick Leonard and his wife Cindy of Rockland; his step-grandchildren and their families, Angela Weston of Winthrop, Dawn Bradeen of Warren, Samantha Buffard of North Waterboro, Dan Pease of Rockland and Jaime Leonard of Massachusetts.  

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Ocean View Cemetery, Route 73, South Thomaston.  

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.